AN ELDERLY couple were left terrified when a brick was thrown through their bedroom window in the middle of the night.

The pair, who asked not to be named, were asleep at their home in Farnworth when the missile smashed the window at around 4.30am on Tuesday morning.

Later yesterday morning, they found the brick, which had been taken from their garden, surrounded by shattered glass outside the house in Highfield Road.

The male resident, aged 77, said: “We were woken up by the noise. We didn’t want to open the door until it was light. Then when we did we saw the brick and the shattered glass.

“The car is fine and they didn’t try to steal anything. There doesn’t seem to be any other damage around the street either.

“I don’t know what would possess someone to do this kind of thing. Whether they were under the influence of drink or drugs, I don’t know.

“We were both in bed and there was suddenly this noise. Fortunately, the curtains stopped the glass from coming further into the bedroom.

“I got out of bed and I saw that the window had a small hole in it. It was only later when we realised the extent of the damage.

“The brick must have been thrown at some force to break through the double glazing. I just don’t know why someone would do this.

“We didn’t hear anyone making any noise, we were asleep and we didn’t know what was going on.”

His partner, aged 82, added: “We have not really had much trouble around here before. There was a burglary next door and we once had police chase someone through our garden, but nothing like this.

“We have lived here for nearly 20 years, but things seem to have gone from bad to worse in this area recently.

“It is completely mindless behaviour from whoever has done this. There is no need for it at all.”

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the attack to come forward.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “We were called shortly before 4.35am to reports of criminal damage in Highfield Road in Farnworth.

“We have launched an investigation and anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting incident reference 220 of October 25, 2016.”