POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a mugging in Colne in which an elderly lady from Nelson was pushed over and banged her head on a wall.

The 85-year-old, who does not want to be identified, suffered a slight injury to the back of her head when a teenager pulled her handbag from her on an unmade path known as The Park, behind Portland Street.

The incident took place between 4.10pm and 4.20pm on Sunday as the woman and her husband were walking from the cemetery in Keighley Road.

She was taken to Burnley General Hospital for treatment to her head but was not detained.

DC Dean Holden, of Colne CID, said: "The couple were walking along the unmade road when she became aware there was someone behind her. When she turned round she saw a young male.

"He grabbed her bag and because she put up a struggle he pushed her backwards and she hit her head on the wall and he ran off.

"She was not seriously hurt but she was shook up. It was quite a nasty assault on an elderly person who couldn't put up much of a fight.

"The lady said her bag went very quickly as though the strap had been cut so he might have a knife on him although no-one has actually seen one." The bag was a navy nylon shoulder bag in a half moon shape containing around £43 in cash, personal papers, a camera in a black case and a distinctive monocle in a black case fastened with two press studs.

The thief was described as white, between 16 and 18 years, 5ft 5ins, slim to medium build, clean shaven with short dark brown hair in no particular style.

He was wearing a dark navy t-shirt with a tight round neck and long sleeves, dark coloured trousers or jeans and dark footwear.

DC Holden added: "Some witnesses have said they saw a male with a similar description sitting in a bus stop near Keighley Road earlier in the afternoon. If people have been out walking in that area they have may have seen something."

Anyone who saw the attack or a man fitting a similar description should contact DC Holden on 01282 472441.