A WOMAN left bruised and battered is warning neighbours not to go out at night after being brutally mugged for a portion of chips, writes Teri Jones.

Jean Gregory, aged 55, was returning to her Atherton flat at around 10.30pm on Monday when she was approached from behind in Rosedale Avenue by two balaclava-clad youths.

The men tried to snatch Mrs Gregory's canvas bag, containing chips, but when she tightened her grip on it one of the men head-butted her in the face and the pair fled with the bag.

The bag contained only the chip supper and a pair of gloves but Mrs Gregory was taken to hospital with severe facial bruising and a black eye.

Still shaken after her ordeal Mrs Gregory said: "It all happened so quickly. I just wanted to get inside, I rang my neighbour, but it took me an hour to calm down enough to phone the police. I've never been one to worry about going out at night, but it is very dark around these flats and I will be telling neighbours not to go out alone until we have better lighting."

This is the second time in three weeks Mrs Gregory has been the victim of a robbery. She had a gold chain stolen from her flat when a man posing as a waterboard engineer raided a number of flats in the area.

"It makes you nervous to go out or even answer the door," she adds.

Police, who have sent a Victim Support councillor to talk to Mrs Gregory and advised her to visit her GP, are keen to hear from anyone with information, contact Leigh CID on 0161 856 7253.