A man has been arrested in connection with two robberies where elderly women were targeted in their own homes.

The man, aged 29, has also been arrested on suspicion of a number of other offences and remains in police custody for questioning.

A man stole cash from an 89-year-old woman at her home on Broad O'th Lane, Astley Bridge some time between 5pm and 5.45pm on Tuesday.

The woman was knocked over by the intruder during the robbery.

A 93-year-old woman was confronted by a man as she took the rubbish out from her flat on St Margaret's Close, Smithills at about 4.45pm on Wednesday 2 June 2010.

The great-great grandmother was putting her rubbish out when a robber grabbed her, shoved her back into her house and dragged her into the living room, knocking her over and demanding cash.

He then searched the house and stole a small amount of cash from her purse, along with a locket and a gold necklace with a cross on it.

Yesterday, the woman’s granddaughter, Wendy Baker, branded the raider a coward.

“Every time she closes her eyes, all she sees is his face and him saying, ‘where’s your money?’ He ought to be ashamed of himself. He is a coward,” said Mrs Baker, aged 39, from Heaton.

PC Lee Grindley, from Bolton CID’s Robbery Unit, said: “I want to reassure residents, especially older members of the community, that we are working tirelessly to drive down offences of this nature and we are determined to identify those responsible for these crimes and bring them to justice.”

Mrs Baker said her grandmother, who asked not to be named, suffered bruises and was now staying with family. She has a daughter, three grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and one newborn great-great- grandchild.

The pensioner called her granddaughter after the man shut her in her living room and began searching her house.

She rushed to her aid and called the police, but when they arrived, the robber had already fled the scene.

Mrs Baker said: “She’s still very shaken. He was pushing her about. I got here as quickly as possible and she was still shaking and could hardly stand up. She couldn’t believe it had happened.

“It will take her a long time to get over it,” she added.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Robbery Unit on 0161 856 5749, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.