THIS is the 73-year-old pensioner who was left battered on her own doorstep by a thug who stole her handbag.

And Sylvia Lee bravely agreed to have her picture taken to encourage people to provide information about the thug who attacked her.

She was returning to her home in Hawarden Street, Nelson, after a Saturday morning shopping trip in Colne when the offender pounced.

The pensioner had put shopping bags on the floor to open her back door. When she opened it the attacker struck, punching her in the face before fleeing with her handbag.

Police said the bag contained a unknown amount of cash and personal belongings.

Today residents and civic leaders expressed their shock at the attack.

Clover Hill ward Coun David Foster called on anyone with information to contact the police.

He said: "I think the person who did this is a scumbag. I would love to give them a punching but you cannot do that, you have to wait for the powers that be to catch them.

"I would like to reassure the lady that the council is doing everything it can to stop these incidents."

Neighbour Leonard Holgate, 48, said: "When the police knocked and told me what happened I just couldn't believe it. She is a quiet lady and I say hello when I see her.

"I was disgusted and shocked.

Another neighbour, Joan Thornton 48, added: "Its a bit scary when things like this happen on your own doorstep."

Miss Lee had caught a bus back from Colne then got on 12a service at Nelson bus station.

The pensioner got off in Brunswick Street near the junction with Chapel House Road and walked the rest of the journey.

She was taken to Burnley General Hospital with severe brusing after the attack, at 11.15am, and later released.

Detective Inspector Steve Mounsey said officers were unsure if the robber, who was wearing light coloured clothing, had being loitering in the area or had followed Miss Lee off the bus.

He added police had conducted house to house inquiries and would be pursuing a number of lines of inquiry including looking at CCTV footage.

He said: "The lady was laden with shopping and when she opened her back door she was spun round and punched in the face.

"It is a horrendous incident which happened when the lady was outside her home address. This would be traumatic for anybody.

We would like to reassure the local community we are doing everything we can to catch this person," he said.

Coun Colin Waite said he had visited residents to hear their concerns at the incident.

He added: "I was shocked to hear someone in the area had being robbed. It's not something you expect in Clover Hill.

"I wish people would think of their actions. The consequences have a massive impact on the person."

Anyone with information should ring Nelson CID on 01282 472643 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .