DETECTIVES are hunting a masked intruder who subjected an 87-year-old woman to a sexual attack.

The victim, who is not being identified, woke shortly after 5am yesterday to find the man, wearing a dark mask and armed with a knife, in her bedroom.

It appears the intruder, who had forced the door to get into the premises in Seaham, east Durham, carried out the indecent assault as the helpless pensioner lay in her bed.

After he fled, she managed to make contact with a local warden service which alerted police. Officers were at the scene within minutes.

Investigators are linking the attack with a similar incident nearby, on January 25.

Then, a woman in her late 70s woke at about 2am to find a man dressed in black standing over her bed. He carried out a prolonged indecent assault.

Yesterday, the latest victim's home was sealed off as crime scene investigators and forensic scientists examined the premises.

At the same time, a team of detectives from Durham began door-to-door inquiries in the Westlea area of Seaham.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Tait said the victim was left deeply shocked and needed medical attention.

The man being hunted was described as thin and about 6ft tall.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Peterlee police station on 0191-586 2621 or anonymously to Crime-stoppers on 0800 555111.