AN 83-YEAR-OLD ex-miner was so badly shaken after a gang of robbers burst into his home that he hid in his bedroom for the night.

A warden at the sheltered accommodation found him yesterday morning in his home at Edenfield, West Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, and alerted police.

The widower was physically unharmed but badly shaken by the attack at about 7.30pm on Wednesday. He was being comforted by relatives yesterday.

The man answered a knock at the door to be confronted by three or four youths who barged into the bungalow before pushing him over and snatching £800 from his pocket.

Acting Detective Sergeant Michael Wilson of Chester-le-Street CID said officers were working on the theory that the youths were local.

He said: "We are treating this very seriously. It was a callous confrontation and those involved clearly had no regard for this frail 83-year-old man who has been left deeply shocked.

"At this stage we have no reports of any other incidents in the area and we believe those responsible may have singled out the victim who has lived in this bungalow for more than 30 years.

"Because there is a strong spirit of community and he is widely known, we are hopeful that anyone with any information will come forward quickly."

Chester-le-Street CID can be contacted on 0191-388 4311