A 98-YEAR-OLD woman was attacked and robbed in her own home by criminals posing as workmen.

The woman was sitting in the living room of her home in Rye Hill Road near Thornwood when she saw a man wearing a flourescent yellow workman's jacket out of the back window.

Her daughter, who lives with her, was out at the time.

The man waved to her and she assumed he was there to repair the boiler so gestured for him to go to the front door. On opening the door the man and another man who was also wearing a bright yellow jacket forced their way in and pushed her to the floor.

One of the men was carrying a metal bar.

They then searched her home for valuables and stole a gold ring of great sentimental value to the woman and a small amount of cash before leaving out of the front door.

The woman had a bruise on her right arm and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Investigating officer PC Mick Orr said: “This was a particularly nasty attack on a vulnerable lady in her own home. I am keen to speak with anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the incident who may have seen these men or their vehicle to contact me.”

Anyone with information should contact PC Orr at Harlow Police Station on 0300 333 4444 or call Crimestopppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.