A PARTIALLY-SIGHTED pensioner put up a brave fight after waking in terror to find an intruder in her bedroom.

The elderly woman suffered minor injuries during the "shocking and cowardly" early morning weekend robbery in her own home near the Oakdene holiday park at St Leonard's.

A police spokesman said the victim, who is in her 80s and has not been identified, had woken in darkness to discover a man in her bedroom in the early hours of Saturday November 13.

"The man then demanded cash from her and she was made to hand over a sum of money.

"But he was not satisfied with the amount given and ransacked her bedroom prior to making good his escape. Although his elderly female victim suffered minor injuries she attempted to eject him from her bedroom. This was a shocking and cowardly incident," said DC Bryan Colley, the officer in charge of the case who is based at Christchurch CID.

The man is thought to have spoken with a local accent.

Inspector Robin Hemsworth said: "We are keen to get any leads which could lead to the identification and arrest of the offender."

Anyone with information should call 01202 222500.

First published: November 15