AN elderly Totton woman was assaulted in her own home last night as she

grappled with three teenage burglars.

The 81-year-old victim tried to force the youths out of her house, but was pushed to the ground and held down.

Hampshire Ambulance treated the pensioner at her home for shock and minor injuries.

The youths, one of whom was aged only about 13, targeted the woman's home at Causeway Crescent at 5.15pm yesterday.

Det Sgt Glyn White, of Totton CID, said today: "She was distracted by a youth who called at her front door as two others got in through the kitchen window.

"The victim screamed and tried to force the youth out of her house.

"She was pushed to the floor by two of the youths, who held her down and placed a hand over her mouth before leaving via the kitchen door.

"It was an isolated incident and elderly people should not be unduly concerned."

The victim was able to give police only a partial description of her three assailants, who were all aged between 13 and 18 years of age.

One of the intruders had distinctive white squares or patches on the shoulders of his jacket.