A GRANDMOTHER has told of her terror after two thugs grabbed her walking stick from her and pushed her to the ground in a park mugging.

Brenda Cooley, 64, was left with a black eye, bruises and grazing after the broad-daylight attack - but has vowed not to let her assailants put her off visiting Corporation Park, Blackburn.

The former home help had been making the 10-minute journey to her daughter's house at around 5.30pm on Thursday June 19 when she was set upon by two Asian teenagers.

Mrs Cooley said: "It was a lovely day so I decided to walk rather than take the bus. I have arthritis and it was playing up so I had my stick with me.

"I have walked through the park hundreds of times but I was in the wrong place at the wrong time this day."

The pensioner added: "I went through the Alexandra Road gate and was going through a bit that was quite secluded with bushes when someone jumped on me from behind.

"They pulled the hood of my coat over my face and spun me round. I was disorientated and couldn't see anything.

"I thought it might have been a joke but then they got nasty. My bags had tangled round my arm and they realised that if they didn't get the stick from me then they wouldn't get the bags.

"One of them hit me and then I was pushed to the ground. I banged my head on the floor and it left a lump the size of an egg.

"I have bruises up my arms from where they gripped hold of me and I ache all over."

The pair, described as aged 15 to 18, and around 5ft 5in, then took her handbag and shopping bag which contained a silver Nokia phone.

The grandmother-of-four said: "I was so frightened that they were going to come back and start hitting me with my stick.

"They left me flat out on the floor and I saw them for the first time as they walked off.

"I shouted at them that they wouldn't get away with it. One of them looked a bit reluctant "I ran out of the park screaming and crying and a group of children came to find out what was wrong and someone called an ambulance."

She added: "I was terrified. It is upsetting that people have to go to these lengths just to get a mobile phone."

Anyone with information should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212, or Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.