Elderly woman hospitalised after attack

An elderly woman is in hospital following an attack in her Taranaki home this morning.

Police were called around 6.15am to a house in Eltham, north of Hawera, where a woman in her 70s had been physically and sexually assaulted.

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said the woman awoke to find a man in her house.

The woman was in shock and police had not yet had a chance to interview her and get a description of the attacker.

She was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital with moderate injuries and police hoped to speak with her later today.

Ms Perks said the investigation was still in its early stages and the victim's age and address were not being released in order to protect her identity.

- NZPA