A PENSIONER was recovering today after being mugged in broad daylight on a busy main road.

Lena Haworth, 86, suffered a black eye and bruising after a tussle with the thug who tried to snatch her handbag yesterday afternoon.

She was on the driveway of daughter Sandra Wilkinson's home on Shadsworth Road, Shadsworth, Blackburn, when the youth came up behind her and pulled at her bag.

The pensioner was pushed down the side of the house and on to the floor by the mugger who grabbed her handbag before fleeing.

The youth, aged between 18 and and 20, dropped the bag as he jumped over a fence at the back of the property and made his getaway down Tarbuck Crescent.

Neighbours said that he offered a postman £3 to take him to the bottom of North Road. Paramedics treated Mrs Haworth at the scene before taking her to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for a check-up.

Mrs Haworth said: "I feel terrible today. My eye is hurting and my body and arms are sore."

She added: "I got to the corner of the house and he grabbed my handbag and knocked me on the floor. I just shouted as hard as I could."

Sandra said: "We heard her shouting but by the time we got outside the mugger was jumping over the fence. It all happened so fast.

"She is very shocked. She is 87 in a week. This would have even upset a young person. It was lucky that she was as well as she was. She could have suffered broken bones.

"I just can't believe that someone would do this to an old lady. It is awful. I want this man caught."

The attacker is slim, between 5ft 8in and 5ft 9in tall with short dark hair. He was wearing dark blue clothing.

Acting detective chief inspector Mick Gradwell said: "We urge anyone who has any information about this man to come forward."

Anyone with information should contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212.

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