A MOTHER stabbed in the street by two muggers says the attack has left her too scared to leave her home.

Carol Greenhalgh, aged 43, was attacked on Monday evening while walking along Bury Road, Breightmet.

Her attackers - a man and woman in their late 20s or early 30s - wrestled with Mrs Greenhalgh before stealing her handbag.

Mrs Greenhalgh, of Deepdale Road, Breightmet, who works as a carer at a residential home, said: "It was only about 9pm and it is a well-lit road.

"I was walking along when I noticed this man and woman ahead of me.

"When I got nearer the woman bent down as if to fasten her shoe laces. The next thing I knew they had jumped me.

"The woman was waving this pocket knife and screaming at me to hand my bag over.

"She lunged towards me and I put my hand out to protect myself - that's when the knife cut my hand.

"They dragged me into some bushes, got the bag off me, then they just ran off."

The muggers made off with just under £100 in cash, her bankcards and house keys.

Mrs Greenhalgh, a mother of two and grandmother of three, said: "I was bleeding badly and scared out of my wits."

She was taken to hospital by police, who had been alerted by a passing motorist.

Mrs Greenhalgh's cut to her hand needed only minor treatment but she says the emotional scars of the night will take much longer to heal.

"I have not slept since it happened and I have had to go to the doctors to get something for my nerves.

"I am a prisoner in my own home. I am too scared to leave the house in the evenings."

A spokesman for the robbery unit at Bolton said: "We are following up a number of lines of inquiry."

If you have been a victim of crime contact Victim Support on 0845 3030900.