ROBBERS are being hunted by police after clubbing a 77-year-old old man over the head with a coal shovel in his garden before stealing his "substantial" life savings.

Durham Police said the pensioner, who was alone in his property in Coronation, near Bishop Auckland, had been the subject of a targeted raid at about 8.30pm on Saturday.

When he went outside to get some coal from a shed three men appeared and are alleged to have taken the coal shovel from the pensioner and hit him over the head.

It is understood he was then taken into his home, where he was pinned to the floor while two of the men searched through his belongings.

The three suspects then escaped with the man’s life savings, the value of which detectives have declined to reveal.

The pensioner was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and later released. He remains distressed by the ordeal.

Detective sergeant Peter Lonsdale said: “This is an abhorrent attack on a pensioner who had merely popped outside to fetch some coal to stoke up his fire.

“It must have been extremely terrifying for the victim who was put through a horrendous ordeal.

“He is obviously very shaken by the incident but, thankfully, does not appear to have suffered any serious injuries.

“The suspects escaped with the gentleman’s life savings, which was a substantial amount of cash.

“Although investigations are at an early stage, this would appear to have been a targeted raid.

“I would urge anybody who has any information to please contact us and help bring those responsible for this despicable crime to justice.”

  • Anyone with information should call police on 101 with crime reference number 444 of January 21 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.