PENSIONERS are being urged to be extra careful following two incidents in which elderly people were assaulted in their homes by conmen.

A 76-year-old Blackburn man required hospital treatment for bruising and shock after two men forced their way into his Livesey Branch Road home on Thursday (April 11) at 2.40pm.

The assailants had asked to use his phone, claiming their vehicle had broken down.

When the pensioner refused them entry, they barged in and dragged him around the house before taking £300 and walking off in the direction of Kings Road.

Blackburn police have confirmed they are linking the attack with a similar incident a few days earlier when a woman of 92 was assaulted in her Queens Park Road home.

On that occasion callers posed as water board officials - but only escaped with a small amount of cash and a telephone.

Acting Detective Chief Inspector Neil Smith said: "Attacking the elderly in the safety of their own home is a despicable offence. We do have reports of pensioners being robbed, but rarely do we hear of acts of violence being carried out against somebody so vulnerable."

He added: "We are linking the two incidents and these men have to be caught very quickly."

The attackers are described as between 25 and 30 years old and around 5ft 10inch tall. The first is of a stocky build with broad shoulders and dark black, bushy hair.

The second man is of slim build with a pale complexion and light brown hair.

Anyone with any information should contact Blackburn CID on 51212.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.