A 17-YEAR-OLD youth has appeared in court charged with robbery after a pensioner was seriously injured after a shopping trip to Prestwich.

It is alleged the robbery of the 79-year-old woman took place in Broughton Park on January 11. As a result of the incident, the woman suffered a fractured skull and fractures to her arms and wrists. She is recovering in hospital.

The youth, from Blackley, appeared before Salford Magistrates last Friday.

A 16-year-old girl from Hulme who was also arrested on suspicion of robbery has been released without charge.