SURGEONS were yesterday battling to save the eyesight of a 79-year-old Whitefield woman after a mystery fall.

Now detectives are appealing for help from the public as they try to trace the movements of Mrs Irene Sutton prior to the incident on Sunday night.

Seven-and-a-half hours elapsed from her leaving home to being found collapsed at the junction of Sunnybank Road and Manchester Road in Bury.

It was initially feared that she had been attacked and robbed, or struck in the eye by a stray firework. However, in a confused state, Mrs Sutton told people who came to her aid that she had fallen face first into a wall, bursting her left eyeball.

Detective Constable Steve Mazzina, who is leading the inquiry, told the Bury Times: "Although she is very confused, Mrs Sutton has said that she fell and was not attacked.

"Her handbag, which had been reported missing, was found yesterday and was intact. There are no other injuries to Mrs Sutton.

"There is no evidence to suggest a violent attack, although an appeal on the radio resulted in a call from a member of the public who saw three youths running away from an elderly lady on Sunday evening. "If we receive more information to support any offences, then we will follow them up."

Mrs Sutton left her home at 3pm on Sunday and was discovered by a motorist injured at 10.30pm.

She was rushed to Fairfield General Hospital where staff confirmed that a "severe blow to the eye" had caused the eyeball to burst.

She was then transferred to Birch Hill Hospital in Rochdale for specialist treatment. A spokesman for the hospital said: "Mrs Sutton has suffered a very serious eye injury. She is in a poorly condition."

It is not known whether the loss of sight is permanent or temporary. DC Mazzina said: "While it is looking more like an unfortunate street accident, the inquiry into Mrs Sutton's injury is by no means over.

"I would be keen to speak to anyone who either saw her fall or saw another person hit her."

Anyone with information should contact DC Mazzina on 856 8248.