A burglar left an elderly widow terrified after stealing irreplaceable jewellery.
The 80-year-old Middlesbrough woman was woken in the early hours of yesterday to find the youth, thought to be about 15, rummaging through drawers.
After a brief struggle, the burglar made off with her late husband's wedding ring, her own wedding and engagement rings and her mother's wedding ring.
Cleveland Police said the jewellery has immense sentimental value.
Officers said the woman confronted the youth, who pushed her back on to her bed.
She tried to use a telephone in the bedroom, but the youth grabbed the phone and disconnected it.
A spokeswoman said: "She eventually managed to make the call from the living room and the youth made off with the irreplaceable items."
The offender was white and wore a blue hooded top.
Anyone with information about the raid is asked to call Detective Constable Iain Wise on (01642) 303126
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