The pair gagged the 67-year-old with a pair of socks and a scarf before pushing her to the floor at her home in Burnage, on Thursday night.

Greater Manchester Police said the woman was "totally and utterly terrified" by the attack.

The pensioner answered the door to the pair at about 2250 BST.

They claimed to be policemen before pushing the woman over.

'Scandalous' attack

As she tried to shout for help, the men gagged her, stole her purse and left her lying on the floor.

Detective Constable Ian Hynes said: "This was a despicable and scandalous attack on an elderly woman in her own home.

"I cannot believe the way that this elderly member of our community has been treated.

"She opened her front door in good faith to two people who she thought were police officers and they pushed her aside and stole her money."

The men were both white, aged about 20 and spoke with Irish accents.

One was about 5ft 10ins tall, with a thin face, sandy-coloured hair and was wearing a red and green striped shirt.