A knife-wielding burglar has left detectives with an unusual clue - a recording of his voice captured by his elderly victim's security alarm.

Warwickshire Police hope that someone will be able to identify the offender from the audio clip, his description, and a CCTV image of him fleeing the scene.

Thought to be white and aged in his late teens or early 20s, the burglar broke into the home of a 96-year-old woman in Whitnash, Leamington Spa, at about 8pm on Friday December 16 last year.

During the offence, his voice was captured on a Lifeline system, which automatically recorded him as he told the woman he did not want to hurt her, and ordered her to "put the phone down".

The offender, who was wearing a balaclava, also asked for money but left as soon as he realised the Lifeline device had been activated.

Officers also recovered a grainy CCTV image of a figure, believed to be the offender, and are releasing it along with the voice clip in the hope that someone will recognise him and contact them with a name.

Detective Sergeant Andy Smith said the young man was described as wearing a blue hoody and a white scarf during the offence, which left the pensioner shaken but unharmed.

Anyone who knows the identity of the offender should call the Local Investigation Team at Leamington Spa on 01926 684175 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.