A 78-year-old woman had her nose broken when an intruder punched her in the face as she answered the door.

The attack came after the woman answered a knock on her door in Campbell Road, Maidstone at around 6pm on Tuesday.

The man - just 5ft tall - forced his way in before hitting her in the face.

After demanding money he ran upstairs but, as his terrified victim fled out of the back door he rushed past her and escaped through a neighbour's garden.

The suspect is said to be around 5ft tall, in his early 20s and wearing dark clothing and a hoodie.

Det Sgt Andrew Felton said: "Officers are conducting house to house enquiries and we are doing our best to apprehend this violent offender as soon as possible.

"This was a callous and cowardly act against an elderly and vulnerable victim, and one which has caused a huge amount of distress."

"This was a callous and cowardly act against an elderly and vulnerable victim, and one which has caused a huge amount of distress" - Det Sgt Andrew Felton

It's not known whether anything was stolen, but it's believed he may have broken into the victim's home previously, on December 27 last year.

In that case the woman refused to let him in, and he then got into her back garden, climbed onto a flat roof and broke a window, before running away.

Anyone with information should contact PC Amy Ezzi on 01622 604286, quoting YY/001457/14.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.