AN ELDERLY woman and her family are recovering after she was left terrified when a man broke into her home in Marlborough while she was in bed.

She had gone to bed early in the evening at her house in Homefields when at 7.15pm she heard a bang in the house and then a man appeared at her bedroom door.

After the woman questioned him, the man apologised before running off. He is described as slim, of average height, and possibly aged in his 20s or 30s.

PC Teresa Herbert, community co-ordinator for Wiltshire East, said: “The victim is obviously very distressed, as are her family. She’s quite fragile, but her family and herself feel it is important this is reported.

“The front door had been forced and attempts had been made to gain access at the rear.

“We would like to reassure the local community that we take reports of this nature extremely seriously and understand that news of crimes like this can be frightening to our elderly community.

“We are carrying out a thorough investigation including house-to-house inquiries and we will be analysing all CCTV footage from the vicinity that is available to us.”

The burglary happened last Thursday. Earlier in the day, a man had called at the woman’s house stating she had a loose roof tile. She told him she had already organised a repair, and he left. He is believed to have been driving a flatbed lorry which had a ladder on top.

“If you have suspicious callers it’s important that people don’t allow them access,” added PC Herbert.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area of Homefields last Thursday evening between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.

“Did you notice any suspicious vehicles or people you do not recognise? Please call 101 with any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.”

Police have repeated advice to homeowners to always keep doors shut and locked, don’t open the door to anyone you don’t know or are not expecting and never agree to have work carried out by someone who calls uninvited.