A WOMAN was dragged along the road by a thug as she desperately tried to hold on to her handbag containing her car keys.

Now, detectives are hunting a four-strong gang who made their getaway from the scene in St Margaret's Road, Prestwich, after their robbery attempt failed.

Police say the 53-year-old female was on her way to a meeting at a church hall when she was approached by a man at around 7.25pm on Wednesday (Oct 2).

He demanded she hand over her car keys in her bag, but the woman refused. He attempted to grab the bag. But the victim bravely hung on and she was dragged along the ground.

The thug then gave up and ran to a nearby Ford Fiesta car, registration M451 RFD3, which sped off.

Police say the offender was a white male, medium build, aged in his early 20s, cleanshaven and wearing a dark woolly hat and dark clothing.

The woman sustained bruises to her shoulder and leg during the struggle but did not require hospital treatment.

Anyone with information about the attempted robbery should ring Whitefield CID on 856 8248.