AN 85-year-old woman was robbed after two raiders barged their way past her into her house.

The victim answered a knock on her door believing it to be the postman but was confronted by two men.

The robbers then pushed past the pensioner into the living room of the house in Helmshore Road, Helmshore.

They demanded cash and threatened the woman before searching the house.

The robbers fled with her purse.

Police have only just released details about he incident which hap-pened opposite the Sunnybank Social Club at about 11.10am on Thursday, January 5.

DC Mark Zebrowski said: "The aggrieved was visibly shaken by the incident and police are appealing for information to identify the two offenders."

The men were described as looking very similar and could be related.

Both were white, slim and had short dark cropped hair.

They were wearing navy blue tracksuit tops, trousers and spoke with Lancashire accents.

One was aged between 23 and 35 and was about 5ft 11ins.

The other was 25-30 and about 5ft 8ins.

Police said one of the offenders had a mark on the back of his left hand which could possibly be a birthmark or tattoo.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237445.