A MUM has slammed opportunist thieves who snatched her 11-year-old daughter's belongings after she had been swimming at an Atherton sports centre.

Samantha Bedson had just collected her belongings from a locker and gone for a shower when the thieves struck at the Howe Bridge Sports Centre.

The thieves stole the youngster's Helle Hanson rucksack which contained lipgloss and a purse with just £4.

They also rifled through her friend's coat and stole lipgloss and a purse.

Samantha's mum Lorraine Bedson, said the incident last Sunday afternoon had left both her daughter and friend feeling distraught.

Mrs Bedson, of Factory Street, Tyldesley, said: "I know these things are not expensive items but the incident upset them both, more so because they had no money to catch the bus back home. This was the first time my daughter had gone to Howe Bridge Sports Centre on her own without an adult and she was very sensible.

"She has learned a lesson that not all people are as nice, polite and honest as she is but what an awful way to learn it. The items which were taken were special to her.

"The navy denim style purse was a gift from a friend who had brought it back from Disneyland, Florida and the back pack was bought by us specially for a trip to Hinning House."

Mrs Bedson praised sport's centre staff who helped Samantha and her pal after the theft took place.

Now the mum-of-three has urged the perpetrators to hang in the stolen items to staff at the sports centre on Leigh Road.

She said: "Please do the decent thing and hand the bag and purse in where the staff will then contact me. The items can be replaced but the memories associated with them cannot and even 11-year-olds have belongings which have sentimental value."