AN 85-year-old famous racehorse trainer has described how she confronted a masked man as her Worcestershire home was burgled.

Major racing trophies, including one from the Grand National, were taken from the home of Mercy Rimell, the widow of the late National Hunt trainer Fred Rimell, on Monday.

Mrs Rimell, who was armed with a torch and her walking stick, was alerted to the man outside her house in Ryall, near Upton-upon-Severn, by her dogs.

She went out to find a youth in a balaclava shouting. She confronted him and it was then that her home was burgled.

The gang, believed to be three strong, stole six trophies, including the winning Grand National cup from 1976, when Rag Trade romped home ahead of Red Rum. Mr and Mrs Rimell trained four winners in the race.

Three equestrian trophies won by Mrs Rimell when she was a young girl were also stolen, as was valuable jewellery, including Mrs Rimell's diamond engagement ring and a horse-shaped diamond brooch, given to her by an Arab sheik.

The pensioner, now retired, spoke of her dismay at the thefts.

"I was watching the 6.30pm news when I heard the dogs barking outside and a youth shouting," she said.

"I went outside and as I did so the thieves must have come in. I think there were two of them - one must have gone upstairs to take the jewellery and the other went straight for the trophies. They were in and out in 10 minutes at the most.

"I was distracted by the youth. I shouted at him to go away and threatened to ring the police, which I did."

Officers arrived within minutes, but the offenders had already made their getaway.

"I can understand why they took the jewellsery, but not the trophies," added Mrs Rimell.

"They were of great sentimental value to me, but they would be worthless to anyone else as they are engraved.

"They hold a lot of memories for me and I would like them back."

The thieves are believed to have made off over nearby fields towards the River Severn in the direction of Upton-upon-Severn.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw any unusual activity in the vicinity of Ryall on Monday night.

Anyone who has any information should call 08457 444 888 (quoting reference 422S/251004) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.