A PENSIONER was left hospitalised after he was attacked in his home by three men posing as council workers.

The 71-year-old was left with hip and leg injuries after being held in a headlock when he tried to escape from his house to raise the alarm.

He was attacked after he answered a knock on the door at his house in Derby Close, Thornaby, Teesside, at about 12.15pm on Monday.

He was confronted by a man who said he was from the local council and needed to check his fencing. After being let into the pensioner's home, he then added that he had to check the house's drains.

Just then two other men, his accomplices, came into the house and started searching the rooms.

Realising he was being robbed, the pensioner made a bolt for the door to raise the alarm with neighbours.

But before he could escape, the trio grabbed him and one held him in a headlock and forced him to the ground.

They then ran off with about £400 in cash in the direction of an alleyway at the back of nearby Mansfield Avenue.

The elderly man, who was left shaken, upset and angry by the ordeal, was taken by police to hospital for treatment to minor injuries.

His attackers had local accents. The first one was 20 to 23, with a large build, 5ft 7in, with a plump face and clean shaven.

The second was aged between 18 and 20, slim, about 5ft 8in, with short fair hair and a pointy nose. The third was also aged between 18 and 20, with a medium build, 5ft 7in, with dark hair and stubble.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact PC Jason Morris, at Thornaby police station, on (01642) 302226.