A BURGLAR put his hand over a pensioner's mouth to stop her screaming when she woke and discovered him in her bedroom. 

The terrified 85-year-old woman woke at about 2.50am this morning, Thursday March 10, to find a man had entered her bedroom at her home in Little Wakering Road, Little Wakering. 

She shouted out and he put his hand over her mouth for a short amount of time to stop her shouting out before running off.

A laptop computer, a black handbag containing a small amount of cash and bank cards, and a pink fabric jewellery box were stolen.

The victim was not hurt but has been left very distressed.

The suspect is described as white, aged about 18 to 20, 5ft 6ins tall and of slim build. He had small features and was dressed in black, including black gloves and a black hooded top.

Officers carried out a search of the area and enquiries are ongoing to locate him.

Police want to hear from anyone who saw a man fitting the description in the area either around the time of the incident, or in the hours leading up to it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Rayleigh CID on 101.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org