THE sons of a woman who was viciously assaulted at home have pleaded with the public: "Turn these thugs in."

Thelma Isherwood, 78, was conned into opening her door by a thief posing as a workman.

She was pushed down stairs at her home in Highfield Road, Clitheroe, when she disturbed his accomplice ransacking her bedroom.

The shocking picture of Mrs Isherwood's bruised face was published in yesterday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph and she is still being treated in Clitheroe Community Hospital.

Her son Logan Isherwood, of Taylor Street, Clitheroe, said: "These two thugs think they are very hard but this just goes to show how gutless they really are.

"I hope anyone who knows them now realises this.

"They drive round picking on old people and probably thinking they haven't any family or friends to look after them.

"They have made a big mistake this time as there will be a lot of people looking out for the scum.

"I'm determined that they will be caught."

His brother Malcolm said: "We all feel very strongly about this and I think most of Clitheroe does too. It won't be forgotten."

Mrs Isherwood is still covered in bruises and unable to walk.

She had a hip replacement operation some years ago and is having physiotherapy to help her back on her feet.

Her husband Tom, who is partially disabled following a stroke, has not yet visited her as he has been too upset to see her.

Police today issued artist's impressions of the two men.

Inspector Bob Ford said: "These people pick on the most vulnerable in society and they use callous methods.

"What they did was despicable and we will do our utmost to catch these two men."

The crooks were both white and in their late 30s.

The man who conned his way into the house was 5ft 4in and had a ruddy complexion and grey beard.

He was wearing jeans, a blue anorak and woolly hat.

His accomplice who pushed Mrs Isherwood down the stairs was clean shaven, 5ft 9in and was wearing a grey anorak along with a shirt and tie and dark trousers.

They were travelling in a green pick-up truck with a canvas back.

Anyone with information can contact Clitheroe police on 01200 443344.

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