POLICE have condemned as cowardly an attack on a blind pensioner as she was leaving church.

The 85-year-old woman was on her way home from St Cuthbert's Church, in Durham City, when the attack happened, at around 12.20pm on Sunday.

She was walking into the city from the church, near the Garden House pub, where she had attended a service, and was near the County Hospital, in North Road, when she became aware of someone behind her.

The pensioner, who was wearing dark glasses and was carrying a white stick, had her black leather handbag snatched from her shoulder and she fell to the ground.

Her attacker escaped with the bag, which contained a small amount of cash and personal belongings, and the woman rang the police from a nearby telephone kiosk.

She was left shocked but unhurt.

Detective Sergeant Tony Dumighan said the victim was aware of cars passing as she lay on the ground after the attack, and that other vehicles would have passed her on her way from church.

He said: "We would like to speak to anyone - motorists or pedestrians - who saw the victim before, during or after the attack.

"We know there were people in the area and they could provide important clues to the identity of her assailant.

"This was a cowardly attack on a very vulnerable lady.

"At this stage, we are unable to say if it was an opportunist crime or whether she had been specifically targeted."

Witnesses are asked to contact Det Sgt Dumighan on 0191-388 4311, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.