An 83-year-old woman has endured a terrifying ordeal at the hands of five men.

The woman was left physically uninjured, but emotionally frightened and confused after the gang forced her to hand over a substantial amount of cash.

Police are conducting house-to-house enquiries and appealing to the public for help.

The incident happened between January 6 and 8, but has only just come to light when the woman told her family at the weekend.

They  immediately informed the police.

The elderly resident lives on Deer Croft Avenue, Salendine Nook, and was at home when two men knocked at the door.

She answered and the men entered her house, demanding money for work they claimed to have carried out.

When she refused to hand any money over, three more men entered her home.

They took her outside, indicated a small patch of pointing at the bottom of an external house wall  and demanded £2,000.

The victim again disputed with the men and refused to pay.

The gang reduced the amount to £1,500,  and told the old lady to get her coat, saying they would take her to the bank to get the cash.

Fearing for her safety, the pensioner eventually agreed and was driven to her bank in Huddersfield town centre.

There she withdrew £1,500 in cash, which she handed over to the men in the vehicle.

They drove her back to Salendine Nook and left her at the top of her road.

Despite the fact that the woman was not physically injured, the police have described it as a “particularly nasty” incident which has left the woman confused and afraid.

Following initial police enquiries in the neighbourhood, police are interested to hear from anyone who may have seen a red Ford Fiesta-type vehicle in or around Deer Croft Avenue between January 6 and 8.

It may or may not be connected with the crime.

The men are all described as white.

The leader of the gang, who did all the talking, is aged between 40 and 50.

He is around five feet five inches tall, of medium build with brown hair vut in a short back and sides style.

Detective Inspector Mark Truelove said: “The elderly lady was intimidated and this has been extremely upsetting and confusing for her.

“We are appealing for the public to help us trace these men and also to prevent a repeat of this incident.

“We want to hear from anyone who has seen any cars or vans, anyone acting suspiciously or anything out of the ordinary in or around Deer Croft Avenue.”

Anyone with any information should contact Huddersfield CID by calling 101.