Woman, 78, clubbed in burglary

An elderly woman has been struck on the head in a "brutal attack" by burglars, police have said.

The 78-year-old woman is recovering in hospital after receiving black eyes, bumps and bruising across her face and head.

She was woken at her home in Lawrence Hill Road, Dartford, Kent, when she heard noises at about 2030 BST on Sunday.

A Kent Police spokesman said the victim remembered seeing a white man wearing a woolly hat enter her bedroom before she was hit at least twice about the head with a blunt instrument.

This was a brutal attack which left her very badly beaten and extremely frightened Detective Constable Stacey Rothwell, Kent Police

She remained in hospital in a confused state on Monday, the spokesman said.

It is not yet known if anything was stolen.

Detective Constable Stacey Rothwell, of Kent Police, said: "It appears as though the woman disturbed the offender, who may have panicked and struck out at her in the dark.

"Either way, this was a brutal attack which left her very badly beaten and extremely frightened.

"With such a use of violence it is vital we catch the offender as soon as possible

"It is very rare for burglaries such as this to end in violence but we would still ask people to remain vigilant and take every precaution in protecting themselves and their home."

Ms Rothwell appealed for anyone who may have been in the Lawrence Hill Road area at the time to come forward with any information they might have.