THE death of an elderly woman two days after she was attacked by robbers at her home is being treated as murder.

Margaret Hawkins collapsed and was taken to the Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington, after two men are thought to have forced their way into her property.

The cause of her death has not been released due to its complex medical nature but Scotland Yard said her death was “a direct result” of the incident, in Charterhouse Road, Orpington, last Friday.

The robbers are thought to have pushed her onto a sofa and taken some of her belongings.

Margaret, of Charterhouse Road, who was in her 80s, was able to alert neighbours to the incident, but had to be taken to hospital. She died on Sunday.

Police have launched an appeal for witnesses.

The two suspects are described as both being white.

One is said to be aged between 25 and 40, very heavily built with brown cropped hair and a swept fringe.

He was wearing a white or light grey t-shirt and dark jogging bottoms.

The other is also thought to be aged 25 to 40, of slim to medium build with brown hair. He was wearing a dark t-shirt and dark jogging bottoms.

Detectives from the Met’s homicide and serious crime command have taken over the investigation because of the suspicion of murder.

Acting Det Ch Ins Russell Taylor, said: “Margaret was an extremely popular woman and her tragic death has understandably left the local community shocked.

"I am urging anyone who was in the vicinity of Charterhouse Road or the surrounding area between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Friday to contact police.”

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the Charterhouse Road area on Friday afternoon, should call the incident room on 020 8721 4155 or if you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.