AN elderly woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal when a man attacked and robbed her in her home in York.

The 73-year-old victim was left with cuts and bruises to her mouth after her attacker punched her in the face.

The woman was grabbed from behind as she returned to her home in Westminster Road before being bundled inside.

Her attacker dragged her around the house from room to room while he tried to find her purse.

After he had punched her in the face, he escaped with her purse, which contained cash.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York police, said: "This was a particularly nasty and cowardly attack on an elderly lady in her own home in the early afternoon. It was obviously a very terrifying experience for her.

"The lady was able to give us a description of the man and we want to hear from anyone who recognises him or who may have seen him in the area."

Her attacker was described as Afro-Caribbean, aged 25 to 30 and 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall. He was wearing a navy baseball cap, red bomber jacket and light-coloured trousers.

The attack happened at about 1.30pm yesterday.

Updated: 16:30 Tuesday, March 26, 2002