I AM writing to warn visitors to Bury Market to beware of thieves.

On Saturday, March 5, my family and I took my mother to the market. My mother is 69 years old. We were all looking forward to a day out. However, that was short lived.

Whilst my mother was looking on one stall she was aware of a young, well-dressed woman hanging around, who kept knocking into her. She thought nothing of it but then realised her purse had been stolen and the woman had gone.

My mother had more than £300 in her purse that she had saved from her pension, and money that the family had given her for Mother's Day. We were all shocked and upset and I felt very sorry for my mum. I can not describe the look in her eyes.

I would just like to say to the low-life who did this, that I hope you got some enjoyment from the money you stole from my mum and I hope you slept well on Saturday night. If you have a mother of your own, then god forbid that anyone does anything like this to her.

I will never go back to Bury as this incident has left a sour taste in my mouth. But if writing this letter makes people more aware of the risks, then it has done some good.

CHRISTINE FURNELL (Mrs)