POLICE are warning people to be on their guard against pickpockets over the Easter period after a pensioner had her purse snatched.

The 69-year-old was shopping on Blackburn market when she was approached from behind by a man who snatched her purse containing £250 in cash.

After a brief struggle the man ran off with the purse leaving the pensioner, from Clayton-le-Moors, with a cut finger.

Police say people need to be extra vigilant to guard against thieves and pickpockets on the prowl in Blackburn town centre. Det Sgt Paul Murphy, of Blackburn CID, said: "People do need to be wary of thieves while out shopping in the town centre and they need to take car of any valuables they may be carrying.

"The best advice is to keep purses and wallets out of sight and in a secure place and not to carry large quantities of cash around at one time.

"A purse or wallet stuffed with notes can be easy pickings for thieves unless people are careful."

Terry Longden, manager of Blackburn market, said: "People obviously need to be vigilant but we have made great strides in the last few months in reducing crime.

"We work closely with the police and actually have radio links with town centre bobbies, as well as CCTV.

"The message is that we are working together to combat retail crime and improve safety and the general ambience for shoppers in the town centre."

Mr Longden stressed that thefts in the market were an unusual occurence and that isolated incidents should not put people off shopping in the town centre.