AN ELDERLY woman woke up in bed to find a burglar in her bedroom stealing her handbag with £5,000 cash inside.

The thief entered the 82-year-old victim’s home in Grove Lane, Padiham, through the rear porch after taking out a glass panel of the door and unlocking it.

Police said the offender grabbed a £100 TV from the kitchen before entering her bedroom and stealing her handbag containing £5,000 cash, her cheque book and bank card.

The burglar is described as a short white male, of medium build, aged between 20 and 30, and wearing a beanie hat.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “If anyone heard or saw anything suspicious, or knows anything about this incident, they should contact police by calling 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, and quote log reference number 0016 of 28/3.”

The incident happened between 11.30pm on Thursday, and 12.30am yesterday.