An 86-year-old woman was left lying on the floor overnight after she was attacked and robbed during a "terrifying ordeal" in her own home.

The elderly victim was in her house in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, at around 7pm on Saturday when she heard a knock at her back door.

When she answered, a man who was unknown to her forced his way in before assaulting her and demanding money.

The man then made off with a three-figure sum of cash from her purse.

The woman was unable to get up from the floor or summon help and lay there until the following morning when her son arrived to visit and discovered her.

Police and emergency services were contacted and the woman was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride where she remains in a stable condition.

The man is described as in his 50s or 60s, and wearing a dark hooded top and dark bottoms.

Detective constable David Timmons from Cambuslang CID said: "The actions of this man were nothing short of despicable.

"He forced his way into an elderly woman's home and subjected her to a terrifying ordeal before making off with money from her purse.

"The victim has been left badly shaken by the attack and it is critical that we trace the person responsible as soon as possible.

"I would like to speak to any drivers or pedestrians who were in the area around 7pm on Saturday and may have seen anyone acting suspiciously.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Cambuslang CID via 101 or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where details can be given in confidence."