POLICE are hunting a teenage robber who stole a purse from a pensioner with learning difficulties.

The 67-year-old woman was waiting at a bus stop in Brunswick Street, Nelson, when the youngster pounced.

He stole her purse, which contained a quantity if cash, and ran off up a nearby side street.

The woman was left shaken, but unharmed, by the incident.

Police say they are now appealing for anyone in the area at the time, including several people washing their cars, to come forward with information.

Brent Fielden, street crime and robbery co-ordinator at Burnley police, said the woman was on her way to visit her mother, who is in her 90s, when the thief struck.

He added: "She was clearly a vulnerable target and has been left very shaken by what happened.

"Officers were on the scene quickly and spoke to a number of people, but none of them knew anything.

"We believe some residents may have been washing their cars in their driveways at the time, so we are urging them to call us if they saw anything."

The raider was white, slim build and around 5ft 2in tall.

He was wearing a dark jacket, white trousers and a white baseball cap at the time.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Brent Fielden on 01282 472159.