A TEENAGER, who snatched a pensioner's purse while she chatted with friends, made off in a stolen getaway car which was abandoned just minutes later.

The youth ran up to the 76-year-old woman as she stood talking outside the Alldays store, in Fulthorpe Avenue, Darlington, on Wednesday, between 10.30am and 10.40am.

After grabbing the woman's purse, the thief ran off and got into a stolen beige Vauxhall Astra, which was parked nearby.

The car is thought to have contained two other people.

The vehicle, which had the registration number E362 HPY, was later found abandoned in Archdeacon Newton, at 10.53am.

The car had been stolen from a car park on the Faverdale Industrial Estate, Darlington, on Tuesday night.

Detectives last night released a description of the thief, who was said to be aged about 15.

He was described as 5ft 3in, of slight build, and was wearing a green baseball cap.

Anyone who saw the vehicle between its theft and when it was abandoned, or who witnessed the attack, is urged to contact Darlington police on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.