Police are hunting masked robbers who burst into a pensioner’s home and hit him over the head with one of his own ornaments.

The 80-year-old victim needed hospital treatment for a cut to the head after the vicious attack.

Detectives condemned the raid as a “nasty robbery.”

The man, a widower, was alone at his home in West Grove, Baildon, at 9pm last night, when he answered a knock at his door.

As he did so, two masked men forced their way inside.

The men made demands for money and the shocked victim was held down by one of the intruders while the other ransacked the house. At some point during the incident the pensioner was hit over the head by an ornament that one of the intruders had picked up from the house.

The raiders escaped with a small amount of cash, believed to be about £40 stolen from a drawer. They are also believed to have taken a mobile phone.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment to a cut to his head but was not detained.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Bradford District CID, said the complainant had been left very shocked and was being cared for by his family.

He added: "This was a nasty robbery on an elderly man.

“We would like to speak to anyone who saw two men acting suspiciously in the area at around 9pm last night."

Officers are carrying out house to house and CCTV inquiries and the house has been forensically examined.

Det Insp Bragg urged anyone with information to come forward. He said: “This happened close to the town centre. It is a close-knit community and it is likely someone will hear something about this. Anyone who can help, we would ask to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Glen Doran at Bradford District CID on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.