A 79-YEAR-OLD pensioner was dragged from her wheelchair by a young thug who stole her handbag.

The woman was just yards away from her home when she was approached from behind by a man in Rupert Street, Great Lever, on Sunday afternoon.

The thief grabbed her bag and the force of the snatch caused her to fall from her wheelchair.

She was left lying shaken on the pavement but was not seriously hurt. Today police made an appeal for information about the attack which happened at about 4.20pm.

The thief escaped with £80 cash and credit cards.

He is described only as white and young.

Police are now hoping a resident or passer-by may be able to help them catch the thug.

A spokesman said: "This is a very serious incident and we need to know all we can about it.

"We are talking about a disabled woman robbed as she sat in her own wheelchair. It was 4pm in the afternoon so someone may have seen something. We are appealing for witnesses."

Witnesses should contact Bolton Police on 0161 856 5663, quoting Crime reference number 141887G/02, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.