A WOMAN was left shocked and frightened after a burglar broke into her York house while she lay in bed.

The victim said she was still "shaken up" by what had happened.

Police are looking for a man suspected of entering the property in Pottery Lane.

The culprit fled when he realised the house was occupied, but made off with a silver, flat-screen computer monitor, and left the woman startled.

The incident occurred at about 11pm on New Year's Eve, after the burglar broke a back door. A second burglary was committed about an hour later, in Pottery Lane, in which a thief sneaked in through a back door and stole a mobile phone and a bike. Police believe the two are likely to be linked.

The first victim, who is in her mid-40s but did not want to be named, said: "I just felt really shocked at first, then scared when I came to the point of coming downstairs, because I wondered whether there were more people, and what I might be walking into, but he had gone by then."

The woman said she had had a hectic Christmas, and had not wanted to go out for New Year, so just went to bed.

She said: "He kicked the panel off the back door. I did not notice the noise because there were so many fireworks and it was windy. I did not know anyone was in until I heard someone coming upstairs. I thought it was my son, then when the man opened the door I realised it was not. He did not come in to the bedroom and as soon as he saw there was someone in the house he went downstairs and left."

She added: "It did give me a shock. That's not quite what you expect on New Year's Eve."

DC Clive Rich of York Police said: "There was another burglary in the same street about an hour later in similar circumstances, where a man has sneaked in through a rear, insecure door and stolen a mobile phone and pedal cycle and gone off.

"It stands to reason that it's a similar form of entry and possibly the same offender. Police are asking residents to be extra vigilant and make sure security is up to date, because burglary is a problem and it affects the victims."

The intruder is described as quite tall and of slim build, and was wearing a jacket which had light coloured sleeves. He spoke with a local accent. Anyone with any information should phone DC Clive Rich on 01904 669852.