A SHAMELESS thief who stole an elderly woman's handbag as she knelt for Communion at a Chorley church is still at large.

Police believe the cocky criminal is responsible for a string of recent raids in the town and are determined to stop him in his tracks.

In the latest incident, the man grabbed a worshipper's bag as she took Communion at St Gregory's Church, Weldbank Lane, on Sunday morning.

He is described as being dark-skinned, in his 20s, of slim to medium build, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, with short, dark hair and wore a red, white and blue checked shirt and jeans.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.