ROBBERS who targeted an elderly couple and left the 77-year-old woman with a broken hip have been branded "callous and despicable" by police.

Raiders struck at the Lymington home of the woman and her 91-year old brother on New Year's Eve.

They escaped with a cheque book, pension book and around £200 in cash after a struggle that left both pensioners on the floor.

The woman was phoning her nephew when the doorbell rang. Her brother opened the door and two men pushed their way into the Shrubbs Avenue house.

When the sounds of struggle reached the couple's nephew on the other end of the phone, he dialled 999. A police spokeswoman said the elderly people had put up a fierce struggle against their attackers.

"The elderly man tried repeatedly to punch the assailants before being pushed backwards with such force that both pensioners were knocked off their feet, breaking the woman's hip," she said.

"The two men demanded cash and valuables, then ran off with the woman's cheque book and pension book and about £200 in cash."

"Both the elderly people are very shaken. The woman is undergoing surgery on her hip in Southamp-ton General Hospital, where she is expected to remain for at least a fortnight."

Detective Sergeant Colin Nagle said the couple could have been the target of the same robbers on two previous occasions.

"The elderly gentleman said he recognised one of the assailants as a man who had called at their house earlier in the year, once to ask for a ball back, again to offer to cut down fruit trees. He was refused entry both times," said Det Sgt Nagle.

"This is a callous and despicable attack on a vulnerable elderly couple in their own home."

One of the attackers is described as being about 6ft, with a thin face and long prominent nose. He was wearing dark clothes and a woollen hat.

The incident happened about 6.30pm on Sunday. Anyone who can help police inquiries is asked to ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.