Three 'despicable' thugs who claimed to be police officers burst into an 85-year-old woman's home in Ellesmere Port and robbed her.

The distressed pensioner is now too frightened to live in her house on Heather Close after her terrifying ordeal on Wednesday (December 7).

The trio – who were all wearing black masks – confronted her at her front door, but forced their way inside when she attempted to shut it.

One of them put his hand tightly over her mouth and bundled her into her living room, pushing her on to a chair.

He held her there as the other two rifled through her belongings for an agonising 15 minutes, all the while telling her to stay calm and that they wouldn't hurt her.

The men finally fled the scene after being disturbed by their victim's ringing phone, but made off with cash stolen from her purse.

'Inexcusable'

Cheshire police are appealing for the public's help in tracing the offenders, who they believe deliberately targeted their victim.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Robin Grantham said: “I believe that these three despicable men specifically targeted this woman knowing that she was vulnerable and elderly.

“As a result of their inexcusable actions the victim has been left extremely distressed and is now scared to live in her own home, the one place that everyone should be able to feel safe.

“I urge anyone with any information in relation to this incident to contact the team here at Ellesmere Port so that these three men can be brought to justice.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 722 of December 6, 2016.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.