RAIDERS lifted a 92-year-old woman off the bed in which she was sleeping so they could search for money under her mattress.

The pensioner from Bishopstoke was terrified after she woke to find three intruders in her terraced home in Hamilton Road.

The robbers are thought to have made off with around £400 from various places in the house.

A police spokeswoman said: "She was terrified, scared out of her wits, but otherwise unharmed."

Today detectives were interviewing the elderly victim to try to piece together more information on the raid which happened some time between noon and 7.30pm.

The pensioner was sleeping in the ground floor lounge of her home where she has a bed.

The spokesman added said: "At some point she was awakened by three men who had broken into the house.

They picked her up out of the bed and moved her so they could search under the mattress for money.

"They didn't threaten her with any weapon but just literally picked her up and moved her."

Police believe the intruders broke into the house by forcing an upstairs window and used a ladder which they had brought with them.

Today detectives appealed for anyone who saw anyone suspicious in the area - particularly anyone who saw someone carrying a ladder - to contact them.

A spokeswoman said the raiders also took money from various points in the house leaving containers behind - but with one exception.

"They took away the bottom of a beige tin with a floral pattern. If anyone has discovered that tin discarded anywhere we would like to know," she added.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Eastleigh detectives on 0845 045 4545.