A 74-year-old woman fell to the floor when a robber grabbed her handbag as she waited for a bus.

The woman was stood at the bus stop outside the Old Mother Redcap pub, Blackburn Road, Blackburn, at around 1pm on Saturday, when the robber struck.

Police said the woman was stood with her sister when they were approached by a youth who grabbed her handbag, causing her to fall to the floor.

The victim sustained minor injuries and the male fled clutching her handbag and climbed into a white car, which they suspect could have been an old-style Ford Escort or Vauxhall Vectra.

There were three other people in the car and it drove off towards Blackburn.

The offender is described as white, 16 to 17 years old, around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build. He has dark hair and was wearing a navy blue hooded tracksuit top and tracksuit bottoms.

Det Serg Andy Cribbin said: “This was a cowardly attack on a 74-year-old lady. I am appealing for anybody who witnessed this incident or who has any idea as to the identity of the offenders to contact the police. In particular we would like to speak to the occupants of a red car who stopped at the time of the offence and chased after the offender.”

If you have any information ring Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.