Three men pushed their way inside when the woman answered the door at her home in Berry Meadow shortly after 8.30pm on Wednesday.

They forced her back into her living room and ordered her to sit down.
When she tried to defend herself with a knitting needle, one man picked up a cushion and held it near her head.

They then searched all rooms in the house and left with £100 in cash.
Police believe they may have got into a silver Mercedes car with darkened windows.

All are described as being tall white males in their 20s. One was wearing a light coloured shirt, the others were in darker clothing.

Stratford Det Insp Andy Mackay said: "This was a cowardly attack by three men on an elderly woman after they forced their way into her home.

"Thankfully incidents of this kind are rare but we do ask members of the public to fit security chains to their doors and use them whenever they open the door, even if they are expecting callers.

"This was a particularly nasty attack and we will be giving the elderly victim all the support we can. If anyone saw anything suspicious in the area last night we ask them to contact the police."

Anyone with information should ring Alcester CID on 01789 762207 or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.