A 71-year-old parishioner was knocked to the ground and robbed on her way to St John's Church, Nelson.

The woman had left Leeds Road and walked on to Barkerhouse Road at 10am and was near to the level crossing when a man approached her from Chapel Street and snatched her handbag.

The man, aged late teens to 20s, was white, slim build and was wearing a short dark green jacket with the hood up. He was walking with his head down and his hands in his pockets.

Det Sgt Mick Collins said: "She had her handbag over her right arm and he ripped it from her grasp.

"He then pushed her and she fell over and scraped her knees and banged her head.

"She sustained a cut on the side of her head but she was not knocked out by it and didn't need stitches."

Paramedics treated the pensioner for her injuries while she was at Nelson police station.

The thief ran off down Barkerhouse Road in the direction of Leeds Road and then ran on to a side street towards Colne.

The bag was black imitation leather with a clasp with imitation pearls, inside was a purple Mothers' Union bag with a small amount of cash, a diary and a manicure set.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or knows who the offender is is asked to contact 01282 472645.