A WOULD-BE thief bit off more than he could chew when he tried to snatch a shopping bag from mother and daughter, Joan and Nicola Anders.

The plucky pair from Esthwaite Avenue, Carr Mill, were loading their car on the Safeway car park at about 7.45pm on Monday, January 15 when the opportunist struck.

Nicola was by the front of the car when she heard her mum shouting at the back and looked up to see Joan struggling with a man who had just driven up in a car.

The man had grabbed one of the shopping bags and got back into the car he was driving but Joan was having none of that and tried to pull his keys from the ignition.

Nicola told the Star: "I couldn't believe my eyes. Mum was shouting and swearing at the man to give the bag back but he drove off with her still hanging onto the car! I followed them but they were too far ahead for me to catch up."

However, fate intervened when the car careered into a bollard. Continued Nicola: "I managed to reach the car and jumped into the passenger side to get the bag. Then I hit the man over the head and screamed at mum to let go. She eventually did but the man drove off again before I could get out!

"By now I was really panicking but luckily, he hit the side of a kerb and the impact knocked me and the shopping bag flying out of the car. I banged my head on another car parked nearby but otherwise I was OK."

The thief finally drove off empty-handed and Joan was later taken to hospital where she received treatment for bruising to her face, arms, elbow and legs.

Nicola added: "It was frightening at the time but we were determined he wasn't going to get away with the bag. My grandma was mugged a couple of years ago and this made us vow that nothing like that would happen to anyone else in the family and fortunately, we are both OK now.

"It was strange to see mum's reaction though because she is normally so mild-mannered. Even dad couldn't believe how tough she was -- and they have been married for more than 20 years!

"Our only regret is that he managed to get away but hopefully it will make him think twice before trying to bully someone again. Still, we are hoping next week's shopping trip is a bit more uneventful!