A BURGLAR wielding a knife threatened a woman in a terrifying ordeal at her home in Runcorn.

The hooded man knocked on the door of a house on Lockgate West in Windmill Hill at around 8pm last night.

When the door was opened he put his foot inside the house, demanded cash and brandished a knife.

The 50-year-old woman who opened the door managed to push the offender outside the house and close the door.

The offender is described as white, around 5ft 3ins tall and in his early 20s. He had a slim build, very short black hair and a one to two-day stubble and spoke with a local accent.

He was wearing dark pants and a blue cotton-style hooded top with thin black lines running down it. He had the hood up.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses.

Detective Constable Nathaniel Walkowiak said: “This was a terrifying incident in which the brave victim managed to thwart the armed offender, forcing him outside the house as he attempted to carry out an aggravated burglary.

“We would like to reassure the community that this appears to be an isolated incident and we are doing all we can to catch the offender.

“Enquiries into this incident are ongoing and I urge anyone who witnessed the attempted burglary, thinks they saw the offender in the area around that time or believes they may know who he is to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 33823, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”