62-year-old woman tied up and robbed in her home by masked men in Ashbourne, Derbyshire

The crime has similarities to another masked robbery which took place just a few miles away last month

Shirley, the village in Derbyshire near to where the crime occurred

A 62-year-old woman was tied up in her home and robbed by three men in balaclavas, in a "cowardly attack" in Derbyshire.

The incident, which took place in Shirley Common near Ashbourne, left the woman with a suspected spinal injury, Derbyshire Police said.

The men broke into the secluded home on on the evening of Saturday 17 October, just before 8PM.

Police are now investigating potential links to another incident which took place a few miles away in Ednaston last month, when a couple in their sixties were tied up in their home by three men with crowbars.

The men threatened the couple, tied their wrists and made off with watches and jewellery.

Detective Inspector Shaun McElheron, who is leading the investigation, said: "This was a very cowardly attack on a lone woman and the aggression and violence used was just not necessary."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.