AN elderly woman who was returning home from shopping and visiting friends on Boxing Day had her Christmas ruined when thieves knocked her to the ground and stole her handbag.

The 81-year-old had been walking towards the junction of Henry Street and Tanpits Road, Church, around 4.20pm.

Det Con Mark Winstanley, of Accrington CID, said: "She was approached by two male teenagers who ran past her and pushed her in the back. They knocked her to the ground and snatched her handbag from her before running off in the direction of Sacred Heart School.

"This is a horrible thing to happen especially at Christmas but the lady has been very brave despite not wanting to bother the police and being injured in the attack.

"She is extremely upset and shocked about what has happened."

The pensioner, who does not want to be identified, suffered bruising to her hips, arms and wrists in the fall.

The thieves stole her blue canvass zip-up handbag containing a brown leather purse, £40 cash, a pair of glasses and her bus pass.

DC Winstanley said: "We are very keen to trace whoever did this and would like to hear from anyone with information about the incident."

They can call the police on 01254 353744 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.