A VULNERABLE pensioner was shoved to the floor and her house was burgled during a "sickening" raid in a Burnley village.

The 86-year-old, who suffers with Alzheimer's Disease, answered the door to a man demanding money for building work done to her house.

But when she refused, the woman was knocked to the floor as the burglar forced his way into her home before stealing a purse containing a "quantity" of money in £20 notes.

Police said the incident, between 3.30pm and 4.05pm on Wednesday, was the second in a week on the pensioner's house in Red Lees Avenue, Cliviger.

It followed a similar theft last week when the woman was tricked into handing over £400 to a man who claimed to have carried out work on her house.

Sgt Phil Carter, from Burnley police, said: "This was a sickening attack on a vulnerable elderly lady.

"We would appeal to anyone who saw anything or to anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward and pass on any information they have to police or Crimestoppers."

Neighbours reported seeing a "scruffy-looking" white man in the area at the time of the burglary but so far detectives have no detailed descriptions to go on.

Police issued a warning about doorstep conmen earlier this week after a spate of offences where pensioners were targeted.

On Tuesday an 86-year-old in Market Street, in Shawforth, was conned by a man claiming to be from the water board.

He asked her to keep watch on a running tap while he searched the rest of the house and stole around £25 in cash.

Earlier in the day a 90-year-old woman was tricked out of £600 by a team of con artists at her home in William Street, Ramsbottom.

Police in Burnley warned residents about conmen who are tricking their way into residents' homes by asking to use the phone but then grabbing their purses and running off.

Officers said that it was not known if the offences were linked.

Anyone with information should contact Burnley police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.