A pensioner returned from a six-week hospital stay to find that police had forced open her home.

The 70-year-old was then presented with a bill to make her property secure again.

The woman appeared at Paisley's Mill Street Police Office in a "frail and bewildered state" with the money.

But lawyer Paul Lynch took up her case and urged the police and property security firm SitexOrbis to waive the fee.

He said the woman, who has asked not to be named, had been an in-patient at Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Mr Lynch said: "This demand for money has caused her great distress. It is not entirely clear on what basis the police forced entry."

Police described the forced entry as "appropriate and diligent action".

But they have agreed to waive the need for the costs to be reimbursed.

A spokesman said: "Police Scotland will meet the costs and have advised SitexOrbis accordingly."