A MINISTER was dragged to the floor and robbed in the grounds of her own church.

Rev Christine Leech, 60, was making her way into Rhyddings Methodist Church, Chapel Street, Oswaldtwistle, to take a 7pm service.

She parked her car nearby and was walking towards the church front door at 6.50pm when she was approached by a man.

Police said he asked for her bag, but Rev Leech - wearing collar and religious clothing - refused and carried on walking.

He followed her and asked again and when she refused, he grabbed the black briefcase-style bag and tried to drag it from her.

However the reverend clung on to the bag in a ‘tug of war’-style grapple with the robber.

She was pulled along a pathway and fell to the floor, sustaining minor facial injuries including a bloody nose.

The man ran off with the bag, which contained personal effects and cash.

Rev leech, from Huncoat, said: “As I looked round I saw he was putting his hood over his head. I grabbed the door handle to the church but as I did he grabbed by bag.

“We had a ‘tug-of-war’ because I didn’t want to let go as it had my diary and keys inside. They are very important to me.

“He didn’t hurt me, but I fell when he finally grabbed the bag.

“I had my collar on and was wearing a cloth. It was obvious I was a minister, but whether he realised I don’t know.

“I’m just glad it was me and not a more elderly member of the church.

“Being a Christian doesn’t mean I will condone things like that. If someone does that they must face up to the consequences. It is a sad reflection on society.”

The robbery happened on Thursday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Langley appealed for any witnesses or people with information to come forward.

He said: “She was shaken up by the incident, but she is physically OK and wants to get on with things.

“She accepts that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time and that was opportunistic rather than her being targeted because of the church.”

DS Langley said officers have several positive leads, but appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

A member of the public found the bag in nearby on Friday morning.

Rev Leech’s money and black Nokia mobile phone were stolen.

Since January there have been a number of robberies in the borough, including an armed raid at Bargain Booze, Oswaldtwistle, on Monday night.

DS Langley said: “Our detection rate is very high and we have identified suspects, made arrests or got convictions for nearly all incidents of this type.”