AN Australian woman visiting her Bolton father had her purse stolen after she was befriended by two men in a park.

Pat Chadwick, from Melbourne, was reading a book in Moses Gate Country Park, Farnworth, when the two men approached her and started talking.

When they left 30 minutes later, she realised they had stolen her purse, containing £80 and credit cards.

Mrs Chadwick, who is visiting her father in Little Lever, said: "I was sitting in the park reading a book when a couple of guys walking past and started talking to me.

"They sat there with me for half an hour or more when one guy got up and left to go to the toilet.

"The other man said he was going to check on his daughter but didn't come back. It was only afterwards that I realised my purse had gone.

"It was pretty upsetting to think that they were being friendly when they were just trying to steal from me.

"I would urge other people to be on their guard."

The incident happened on Wednesday at around 3.30pm. Both men are white and in their mid 20s.

One is 5ft 7ins tall, of slim build, bald and wearing ear rings, tracksuit bottoms and a navy blue T-shirt.

The other is 5ft 5ins tall, of stocky build, with short to medium-length brown hair, a short beard and wearing black jeans and a navy blue T-shirt.

Anyone with information can ring police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls will be treated in confidence.