Police have renewed their appeal to find a man who pinned down an elderly woman and robbed her in her own home a year ago.

Alberta Cockroft was sitting in an armchair at her home in Cellar Hill, Lynsted, when the intruder flung open the door leading from the kitchen to the living room and told her he was collecting money for window cleaning.

The widow, who was 93 at the time, stood up to confront him but he pushed her down and held her in place before stealing her purse out of her knitting bag beside her.

It contained around £300 in cash plus the card she uses to draw her pension from the post office.

He then ran out the front door and along the road in the direction of Cambridge Lane.

The theft happened between 1.55pm and 2.07pm on July 16, 2013.

It’s believed he gained access through the back door which had been left open due to the warm weather.

The man is described as white with dark short hair and a longish face. He was clean-shaven and thought to have been in his late 20s.

Detective Chief Inspector Ann Lisseman said: “It has been a year since this callous robbery of an elderly woman who should have been safe in her own home.

“We have not arrested anybody for this offence and are eager for any new information that could assist us.

“We will always investigate new information in any case and would urge any members of the public who recognise this man or who have any information at all to come forward.”

Mrs Cockroft welcomed the news. The 94-year-old said: “The police haven’t been in contact with me recently and they still have a dress of mine which they wanted to do tests on because he put his hands on me but I’m pleased they’ve renewed the appeal.

“It gives me satisfaction that they’re still trying to catch him.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call 01795 419250, quoting crime reference XY/021845/13. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.