A 60-year-old widow described the terrifying ordeal of being woken by three masked burglars armed with an axe and crowbar who stole hundreds of pounds and precious jewellery from her home.The woman - whose husband died in February - was alone in her be

A 60-year-old widow described the "terrifying" ordeal of being woken by three masked burglars armed with an axe and crowbar who stole hundreds of pounds and precious jewellery from her home.

The woman - whose husband died in February - was alone in her bed at Chestnut Avenue, Welney, at about 11.10pm on Sunday when the three men broke in through her bathroom window.

She saw three dark figures and one of them sat on her bed and said: "Where's the money, where's the money? Tell us where it is and you won't get hurt."

Another man looked around the bedroom while the third went downstairs.

The woman - who does not want to be identified - said she had considered "having a go" but when she saw the man on her bed had an axe and crowbar she decided not to and told them where her handbag was.

She angrily said: "It was terrifying and what they did was despicable to someone who cannot defend themselves."

Her handbag contained £500 in cash, which she said she had as the local Post Office had shut and she needed money out to pay bills.

The intruders also stole a large haul of jewellery, including many sentimental items which were gifts from her late husband and late mother.

There were numerous items including 20 to 30 gold rings, a five-bar gold bracelet and numerous gold lockets.

The men, who spoke with Irish accents, had tights or balaclavas over their faces and after going out through the front door, came back briefly but when they could not get back in, they fled in a vehicle.

The woman then rang police.

Crime scene investigators have carried out a forensic examination of the scene and detectives have been in the area conducting house-to-house inquiries.

Investigating officer Det Con Mick Davies said: "Although no threats were made directly, this was a frightening and cowardly act against a vulnerable woman. We need to hear from anyone who saw any suspicious activity or vehicles in the area, or who saw a car speeding off at this time.

"We are also keen to trace the stolen jewellery and would ask anyone who has been offered a quantity of second-hand gold jewellery for sale to contact police immediately."

Contact Norfolk police on 0845 4564567.