The two men knocked on the victim's door, lying to the pensioner that the woman's neighbour had died of the virus and offering to clean her house for her on Grasmere Road, Oldham, Greater Manchester.

While the woman was fetching the men some cleaning products, the two men snatched her purse, money and jewellery, leaving the victim "distraught", police said.

They described the suspects as "the lowest of the low" and appealed for information on the crime, at around 7.30pm on Thursday.

Police have appealed for information after an elderly woman was robbed

Chief Inspector Trevor Harrison, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This is an absolutely appalling crime, which has taken advantage of a vulnerable and elderly woman at a time where we, as a society, should be looking out for her.

"This is the lowest of the low.

"I would make a direct appeal to anyone who was in the local area around the time of the incident to please get in touch with us at the earliest opportunity. Sometimes, even the smallest detail can progress our investigation and help us bring those responsible to justice.

"Officers will continue to support the 92-year-old woman at this upsetting time and I want to stress that we are treating this as an absolute priority. I know the public will support us in this."

One offender is described as having an olive-skin complexion. The other is described as wearing a bobble hat.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8922, quoting incident number 2104 of 02/04/20. Reports can also be made anonymously, via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

Burglars raid home of woman, 92, after lying that neighbour had died of virus