A MANIAC is being hunted after a 79-year-old woman was stabbed in the temple. The victim, who will be 80 next week, was walking along Willows Lane, Deane on Sunday when the knifeman stabbed her in the face, severing an artery above her eye. The thug then kicked and punched the defenceless woman as she lay on the ground and ran off with her handbag, which contained £40.

The pensioner also suffered a broken wrist and is making good progress in Bolton General Hospital.

Detectives, sickened by the attack, are determined to catch the thug, who is described as aged 18 to 20 years and 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall and wore dark clothing.

Police are hoping two crucial witnesses who went to the aid of the woman, will come forward to help them.

The two men, one of whom was dressed in a yellow Wanderers top, were in a car travelling along Willows Lane when they spotted the attack and stopped.

One is believed to have chased the mugger while his friend hammered on doors to get someone to telephone for an ambulance and the police before going back to comfort the woman.

The men are thought to have still been on the scene when police arrived but left without giving their details to officers. The men or anyone else who can help police with their inquiries are asked to contact Bolton Central CID on Bolton 522466.

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