Elderly man beaten for £10 note

An 81-year-old man was subjected to a "vicious and cowardly" attack in his own home by robbers who stole just £10, Greater Manchester Police have said.

The victim was watching television at his flat in Oldham when a man and a woman forced open his front door.

They then beat him around the head and hands with a 2ft (60cm) long wooden coat hanger before leaving the flat.

Police say the man suffered head wounds and has been in Royal Oldham Hospital since the attack on Friday night.

'Beneath contempt'

The robbery happened after the pair sneaked into the gated Summervale House tower block, on Dale Street.

Det Sgt Paul Hatton, of Oldham CID, said: "This was a cruel, cowardly attack on a vulnerable elderly man.

"The poor man was subjected to a sustained beating and we can only be thankful that his injuries were not more serious.

"To intrude so violently on this man's life for the sake of a £10 note is beneath contempt and I want to reassure the community that we are doing all we can to trace the people responsible."