A BLACKPOOL woman was shoved to the ground by a thief who stole her mobile phone.

The 32-year-old woman had visited the Spar Convenience Store in Talbot Road at around 4.30pm last Friday (February 1) when she was pushed by the mugger who stole the phone from her handbag.

A spokesman for Blackpool Police said: "The lady was looking in her handbag which was over her shoulder when she was pushed in the back by the offender, causing her to fall to the floor.

"Then he reached into her handbag and stole her mobile phone. He ran off towards Blackpool town centre."

He described the thief as white, in his mid-20s, thin and about 5ft 6in tall. He had very short, black hair and was wearing blue jeans with a white zip-up anorak.

"This could have been a lot nastier and we would appeal for anyone with information to get in touch," the spokesman added.

Blackpool Police can be contacted on (01253) 293933.