A WOMAN aged 88 suffered a broken hip after a thief attacked her as she returned home from the shops.

The thug approached Irene Fitton from behind, dragged her to the floor and stole her blue canvass bag containing £20 in cash before running away.

The police were called when a member of the public heard her screaming as she lay on the ground near Bexley Drive, in Bury, at around 4.45pm on Saturday.

As well as the fracture, the elderly woman suffered cuts and bruises to her face and head, and grazing to her left hand.

Sergeant Dave Henthorne, of Bury police, appealed for the help of the public in trying to catch the thief.

He added: "This was a callous attack on a frail, elderly lady who was going about her business in broad daylight."

The woman was walking home on Saturday tea-time after shopping in Colville Drive, and had reached the junction of Orpington Drive and Bexley Drive when she was attacked.

Paramedics took her to Fairfield General Hospital, where she is continuing to recover today.

The police were on the scene within minutes of being informed and a thorough search of the area was conducted. The investigation is continuing and anyone with information should contact the Operational Policing Unit at Bury on 0161 856 8149, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.