A woman was squirted in the face with a 'noxious substance' after a man broke into her house and demanded money.

Police are appealing for information following the incident at a property on the A28 in Wincheap between 7am and 7.35am yesterday.

It was reported that the owner of the house - a woman in her 50s - was asleep in bed when an unknown man entered the address and demanded money from her.

After shouting at him to leave, the man is alleged to have squirted a bottle containing a noxious substance at her face.

He is then reported to have locked her inside the room before leaving the property. She was released when police officers arrived at the scene.

The victim was taken to hospital where she was treated for minor facial injuries.

It is not known if anything was stolen.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and officers have released a CCTV image of a man seen in the area at the time.

Witnesses or anyone with information should call 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/16799/17.