AN 89-YEAR-OLD woman attacked in her home staggered 100 yards to a primary school for help.

School staff alerted police and called an ambulance when they saw Margaret Charlton, who had blood pouring from her wounds.

The attack happened after Miss Charlton, a former Queen's Counsel barrister, answered a knock at the door of her house in Ainsworth and was confronted by a man who forced his way in.

He demanded money and when she handed over a small amount of cash, the man lashed out with his fists. Miss Charlton suffered head, arm and leg injuries.

Miss Charlton went to Christ Church Ainsworth CE Primary School for help.

A school spokesman said: "She came into the school with a severe head injury.

"She said an intruder had broken into her house and there was a struggle.

"Miss Charlton is a bit of a character. Everyone knows her, she always comes to events at the school.

"Everyone is absolutely appalled by what has happened."

Miss Charlton's neighbour Rachel Riley, aged 29, said: "I saw her as she was being taken away in the ambulance and she is very angry about the burglary.

"We are very close-knit around here and can't believe something like has happened."

DC Dave Thorpe from Bury CID said he would particularly like to trace two men who were seen knocking on doors seeking building work.

DC Thorpe said: "It was a sad attack on a vulnerable member of a small community.

"She handed over what she had in the house but he launched an unprovoked attack."

The burglar is described as white, in his mid 30s, with dark curly hair and was wearing dark clothing.

Miss Charlton, who is being treated at Fairfield Hospital, Bury, was today described as "comfortable".