TWO women were mugged in almost identical attacks at the weekend.

However, detectives said the two assaults were not being linked to each other or to attacks in Blackburn before Christmas.

In the first attack a 79-year-old woman suffered a fractured hip when she fell after having her handbag snatched in an alleyway in Pickup Street, Accrington, at around 2.20pm.

She was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where she underwent an operation on her hip. Today she was in a "comfortable" condition.

A witness saw a man run off towards Stevenson Street. He was in his early 20s, 5ft 8ins-5ft 10ins tall, medium build, dark straight collar-length hair in a centre parting covering his ears, a moustache, wearing a black waist length jacket.

Det Sgt Jim Elston said: "This was a cowardly and callous attack on a defenceless old lady whose life will have been devastated by this shocking offence."

At 7.30pm a woman in her 40s had her handbag snatched as she walked down Lodge Street, Accrington.

The attacker was aged 26, 6ft tall, slim build, with shaved dark hair, wearing a dark hip-length jacket, dark track suit bottoms and trainers.

Anyone with information should call Accrington CID on 01254 353743 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.