A burglar has left empty-handed from a Newton Abbot home after being challenged by a 94-year-old woman in the middle of the night.

The elderly victim had been asleep in a chair in the lounge on 2 April and awoke around 2am to find the man searching the room.

She bravely challenged the intruder and he left the house in St Mary’s Road, Wolborough, without taking anything.

Police are now trying to trace the offender who is described as white, aged around 30, more than 6ft tall and of large build. He was wearing a dark tracksuit with coloured trims around the collar.

At about 6pm on 28 March, a suspicious man was seen trying to open car doors and walking up driveways in the area, and this could be linked to the offence.

Detective Constable David Piper, from Newton Abbot CID, said: “This was a brazen burglary attempted while the elderly resident was at home. She showed tremendous courage by challenging him and he has left the house without anything as a result.

“We are asking for anyone who has any information about the offence or anyone who recognises the description of the man, to come forward and contact police.”

Anyone who can assist with the investigation is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting crime reference JN/14/816.