AN ELDERLY woman who lived alone has died after robbers burst into her home.

This was the third time in a year Margaret Hawkins, aged 87, had been robbed at her house.

Two men broke into her home in Charterhouse Road, Orpington, on Friday.

They pushed Mrs Hawkins on to a sofa before making off with her personal possessions.

Her condition deteriorated shortly after the robbery and she was taken to a Kent hospital at around 2pm.

She died yesterday.

Mrs Hawkins had lived in Charterhouse Road for 50 years.

It is believed she has two nephews in this country and a distant cousin in New Zealand.

Neighbour James Bent, 69, said the area was quiet and peaceful.

He said: "I am shocked, more so now we have heard she has died.

"She was quite an active lady who went up the road every day to Orpington to see her friends."

Georgina Meacher, 60, has lived in the area for 40 years.

She said: "It's terrible, absolutely dreadful, I am choked at the moment.

"I dont know what to say.

"And it happened in the privacy of her own home as well."

One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said now she always looked out of the window before opening her front door.

She said: "She must have been terrified.

"Let's hope they find the awful people who did this."

Another neighbour, who has lived in the area for 50 years, said: "It's naturally appalling, she was such an old lady, even a 10-year-old could have pushed her over.

"She was very private and didn't impose on people."

No arrests have been made.

The suspects are two white males.

The first is described as approximately 40-years-old, tall and very heavily built, with dark brown hair.

The second is also approximately 40-years-old, tall and well built, with light coloured hair.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or saw anyone acting suspiciously in the Charterhouse Road area on Friday afternoon, should call Bromley police on 020 8284 8859.

To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.