A 68-year-old woman was assaulted and thrown against a wall during a £10,000 jewellery robbery.

The 'Asian heritage gold' robbery, described as 'despicable and cowardly' by police, happened at the woman's home on Bank Lane, Blackburn, at around 7.30pm yesterday.

The victim, who lives alone in the semi-detached house, close to Shadsworth Road, was upstairs at the property when the raiders struck.

Her 35-year-old son, who does not wish to be named, said the robbers gained access to the back of the house via a passageway alongside the garage.

One neighbour expressed his shock after the robbery.

Bill Thompson, 61, of nearby Shadsworth, said: "What's it coming to when you're not safe in your own home.

"I saw the police outside last night so knew something had happened."

DS Mel Kelly of Blackburn CID said: “This was a despicable incident where a woman has been targeted in her own home and robbed of her jewellery which is of great sentimental value.

"She has been left very shaken by what has happened to her and an investigation is underway to find the three intruders.

“We know that a member of the public was walking past the house at the time of the incident and may have witnessed what happened.

"If you are that man, we are very keen to hear from you and we would urge you to come forward as soon as possible.

“Similarly, we want to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have seen these three men in the area.”

"I just hope they're caught and locked up before they do something like this again."