Although the criminals stole nothing the victim was extremely distressed.

At around 11pm on Thursday November 13 the 77-year-old answered a knock at her door on Tellers Close, Atherton, to find a man on the step.
He said a fence panel at the back of the house needed fixing. The woman directed him round the side of the house but he pushed past her to enter.

The man was white, 5ft 10ins, of stocky build and wore blue pants and a blue fleece jacket.

A second man, also white, 6ft tall and of medium build, then entered the house and went to a bedroom, where he searched through drawers. The men then left the house empty-handed.

Insp Dave Johnson said: "I would urge everyone in the community to be vigilant, and look out for their older neighbours.

"Those who commit this type of crime prey on people they believe are vulnerable, so our message is clear – do not open your door to unexpected callers."

Anyone with any information about these offenders should call police on 0161 872 5050.