AN ELDERLY hospice visitor was pulled to the ground when a teenage thief snatched her handbag and sped away.

The 82-year-old was in the grounds of Bury Hospice, Dumers Lane, at 8.30pm on Saturday (Oct 19) when the offender pounced.

She was pulled to the ground by the strap but was not badly injured, and was comforted by hospice staff until police arrived. The bag contained cash, a mobile phone and jewellery.

The thief, who was white, aged around 16, 5ft 6in, and of a slim build, is thought to have made off in a red Ford Fiesta.

He was wearing a woolly hat and dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Whitefield CID on 856 8240.