THIEVES stole a shopping bag from a pensioner as he lay dying in the road after being hit by a car.

Augustin Shanley's family today slammed the thieves as heinous and despicable' as police launched a hunt to find the crooks.

Mr Shanley, 80, died in hospital after he was hit by a car as he crossed Parliament Street, Burnley, on the way to the shops last December.

He was crossing Parliament Street at its junction with Dall Street on December 15 when he was knocked down by a green Honda CRV.

He was treated by paramedics at the scene and taken to Burnley General Hospital.

But his condition worsened and he needed emergency surgery. He died later on the operating table.

And as he lay in the road his canvas bag, holding his pension book and credit cards, was snatched.

Police have now launched an investigation into the theft which they described as heinous and despicable.' Police said Mr Shanley carried the bag, made of blue and grey canvas, everywhere he went and was asking for it after the accident, but officers could not find it at the scene.

Sgt Gareth Hill from the Colne-based Road Policing Unit said: "This was an absolutely heinous and despicable thing to do and we are anxious to trace the person responsible.

"A number of people witnessed the accident, some of whom we have already spoken to, and including a witness who saw someone leaving the scene with the bag.

"However, if there is anyone else who may be able to help us particularly with regard to the alleged bag theft, and they have not yet come forward, then I would urge them to do so."

A spokesman for Victim Support said: "This is one of those offences which is so despicable it makes you wonder how anyone could even consider doing this.

"The family must be going through enough without this additional heartache."

And his cousin Jefferson Shanley, of Burnley, said: "The bag itself didn't really contain anything of great value but it is the principle which makes this distressing. He was such an honest man, which just makes it even worse."

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time of the accident or shortly afterwards to come forward.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact police on 01282 425001.