AN 83-year-old man was left battered and bruised by a mugger who got away with two loaves and a pastry.

As he walked arm in arm with his wife Margaret (82) in Manchester Old Road, at 2.45pm on Monday (Feb 17) they were knocked to the ground by a young thug.

As the pensioners lay sprawled on the ground, the thief grabbed their shopping bag.

The devoted couple were returning home after a trip to the shops, when the robber struck.

Mr Waldie, who moved from his native Edinburgh to Bury some years ago, said: "Margaret and I were walking along the road arm in arm, as we always do. All of a sudden, this fellow came on to us and grabbed my wife's shopping bag.

"She shouted and fell down, grabbing me down with her. I landed in a ditch and couldn't get out. All we had in the shopping bag were two loaves and a pastry. There was no money."

The former chemist added: "Two men came along in cars and helped us. I don't know their names. We were then taken by ambulance to hospital."

Mr Waldie, pictured with his battered and bruised face, also injured a knee which he had had replaced three months ago. Mr Waldie's wife injured her shoulder.

"My face is one hell of a mess," he said. "As to whether or not I'll be scared to go out again, all I can say is I'll be a bit apprehensive. You don't know these things are going to happen to you. If it happens once, it could happen again. It's a shocking state of affairs."

The thug was white, aged around 15, of medium build and wore a light green jacket or top.

PC John Flowers, of Bury's operational policing unit, said: "This incident was extremely disturbing for the couple who were robbed in broad daylight for a few groceries. We must catch the person who did this."

Anyone who witnessed the robbery is asked to ring police on 856 8216 or freephone CrimeStoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.