TWO teenage boys were due to appear at Burnley Magistrates Court today charged with robbing a pensioner in Colne.

Police said a 79-year-old woman had got off a bus and was walking towards Colne, near the Esso service station in Burnley Road, at 6.30pm on Sunday, when her bag was snatched.

DC Dean Holden said: "Someone grabbed her bag and pushed her to the floor. She saw a young male run off with her bag. By coincidence the woman's son was driving by and saw his mother. He went to check she was all right and then went after the thief and detained him.

"The thief was arrested with another youth who we believe was also involved. They were both charged with robbery."

The elderly woman was taken to Burnley General Hospital for treatment to bruising to her chest but later left.