DETECTIVES have renewed their witness appeal appeal after an elderly woman was pinned down during a "cowardly and nasty attack" at her Bournemouth home.

Officers have also released images of a distinctive ring stolen during the burglary, which took place in Richmond Park Crescent last Thursday night.

The shocked woman was pinned to the floor by one of two men after they knocked on her door around 10pm. She suffered a bang to her head but did not require medical treatment.

Detective Constable Aston Starkie, of Bournemouth CID, said: "This was a very cowardly and nasty attack on the victim in her own home which has left her badly shaken.

"The victim was given one of the stolen items, a high-value Kaczynski ring, by someone with great personal significance to her over 30 years ago.

"She has been left devastated by the loss of the jewellery which has extreme sentimental value and therefore is irreplaceable.

"Understandably, she is extremely anxious to have the items returned to her."

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 1010, quoting occurrence number 55160191457.