DETECTIVES are appealing for information after a 71-year-old Horden woman was mugged on her doorstep.

The pensioner left Horden Labour Club with a friend on Monday and the pair walked along Sunderland Road in the village before parting company.

The woman walked on alone to her house in Conyers Crescent, on Horden's Crossroads Estate.

As she began to open her front door she felt a tug on her left shoulder as a man pulled her bag away from her.

The bag's shoulder straps snapped and the mugger ran off with it and jumped into a vehicle, which sped off into nearby Thorpe Crescent.

The victim's bag is described as a black patent leather shoulder bag with a zipped top, it contained a small amount of cash and personal items.

The man who carried out the robbery was in his late 20s, about 5ft 7in tall, of medium build, with a bald head. It is believed another person drove the car away.

Detective Constable Steve Hedley, of Peterlee CID, said: "It was about 10.50pm when the attack took place and the incident was over so quickly that the victim did not get the chance to get a full description of the mugger.

"She suffered some bruising and soreness to her shoulder and was very shocked by what happened.''

He added: "Her injuries could have been more serious if the bag handles hadn't snapped as the attacker might have used a lot more force. It seems he waited until her attention was on opening the door and she was at her most vulnerable before he grabbed the bag.''

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Peterlee police on 0191-586 2621, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.