A THIEF sneaked into a 90-year-old woman's house and stole her purse while she was working in her garden.

The elderly victim was shocked when she heard a noise and came back inside to find the grey-haired burglar coming down her stairs.

The man had sneaked past the pensioner while her back was turned as she was gardening at the back of her house in Lowndes Street, Halliwell.

The thief then went upstairs and searched the woman's bedroom, stealing her purse.

Eventually the woman heard a noise and saw the man running down the stairs and out of the house through the front door when she went to investigate.

Police, who have released an E-fit of the man based on the victim's description, have described the incident as "nasty".

Detectives believe the burglar may have seen that the victim was elderly and vulnerable before deciding to go in.

A 48-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of burglary in connection with the theft, which took place at about 4.50pm on March 6, and he has been bailed until April 8.

However, police are still searching for a possible perpetrator who more closely matches the description given by the victim.

He is described as white, in his 60s, about 5ft 5in tall, medium build and with short grey receding hair.

He was wearing a blue or grey T-shirt, blue jeans, and was carrying a dark blue anorak.

Det Con Sanjay Bisnauthsing, of Bolton police, said: "This was a cowardly burglary on an elderly woman in her home.

"Fortunately she was not hurt, but we want to catch whoever did this and make sure they do not target any more victims in this way.

"I am appealing to anybody who recognises the man in the picture, or who may have seen a man running away from the house at the time of the burglary, to come forward and speak to police."

He added: "The victim has been very good with us in helping us build a description of this man.

"It was a very nasty crime and we want to catch this person as soon as we can."

A nearby resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "This sounds like a terrible ordeal. I have always thought the street was quite safe but this just shows you.

"If you can't be doing your gardening without someone trying to break in then it does make you think."

Anyone with information can contact police on 0161 8565758 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.