Thugs tied a blind widow to a chair and threatened to chop off her finger in a terrifying raid on her home.

They cut into her hand as they used shears to remove her engagement ring, which she has worn for 50 years.

The pair - who may also have burgled the woman's house a day earlier - only fled when their victim managed to set off her emergency alarm.

The 86-year-old victim, from Forest Row, near East Grinstead, was preparing for bed when the burglars shinned up a drainpipe and climbed in through an open window.

They ordered the woman to "sit down and shut up" if she did not want to be hurt.

They bound her to a chair and demanded she remove her jewellery.

But the solitaire engagement ring was stuck fast.

So the cruel duo used a pair of gardening shears to cut the band from her finger, cutting into her knuckle as they hacked away.

Police are linking the raid with a break-in at the woman's home the previous day in which money was snatched.

She said: "I know I should have had it cut off before and made bigger but it was safe where it was.

"They started off by finding my bag and they took another £120 and my credit cards.

"Then they spotted my diamond ring and that was when I got really scared. They said they wanted the ring but I said I couldn't get it over my knuckle.

"That was really frightening because they said, 'If you don't we will cut off your finger'.

"It may have only been a threat but I didn't know that. I said, 'How can you do that to a lady who is half blind? It is disgusting'. But they ignored me.

"I think they got garden secateurs and cut it off. It was quite painful and my knuckle bled and swelled up."

As the victim became more distressed her attackers told her to calm down and have a cigarette. They headed upstairs where they stole other jewellery and silverware, including a cigarette box.

While they were upstairs the woman remembered she was wearing a lifeline alarm - a device to get help if she ever falls over.

She pressed it and the men heard the alarm and fled. Minutes later, neighbours and the police arrived.

She said: "The only really important thing was the ring. I have worn it all my life and since my husband died in 1984 I have never taken it off.

"My daughter said I can't stay here and should go into a home but I would rather anything than go into a home."

Police are appealing for people who may have witnessed the break-in on Friday at about 10.30pm or the first one on Thursday between 11am and 1pm to come forward.

Detective Constable Richard Bebb said: "It is devastating for this lady to be targeted twice in two days by these thieves.

"She was terrified by the attack and is particularly upset that her ring was taken.

"We are appealing for any information and would encourage the criminal fraternity to come forward to help us catch these evil men."

The two men were white and aged 25 to 35.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Bebb on 0845 6070999 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111