DETECTIVES are appealing for the public’s help after a pensioner was confronted by a masked burglar in her Wilmslow home on Tuesday.

The elderly woman ran out of her house to a neighbour’s home to call for help, and the burglars fled after stealing watches and jewellery.

Some of the items taken were of great sentimental value, and the woman has been left traumatised by her ordeal.

“At about 7pm on Tuesday the victim, an elderly woman, was sitting in the living room at her Beaufort Chase home when she heard a noise upstairs,” said a Cheshire Police spokesman.

“As she walked towards the stairs to investigate the noise she saw a masked man who was stood at the top of the stairs.

“The man came down the stairs and confronted the victim, but thankfully she was able to exit her home and go to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm.

“Both of the suspects then fled the scene, taking with them a number of items, including watches and jewellery.”

The burglars are men, approximately six-feet tall and of very slim build. Both were wearing black clothing and black balaclavas. One was carrying a carrier bag.

Det Sgt Simon Mills said: “Burglary is a despicable crime and targets people in the one place they should feel safest - their own homes.

“The victim in this case has been left traumatised as a result of her ordeal, and we are committed to doing all we can to trace the people responsible.

“I would urge anyone with any information which could help to trace the culprits from this case to contact the team here at Macclesfield on 101.”

Anyone with any information in relation to the incident is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 730 of February 6, 2018.

Information can also be passed anonymously, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.