AN ELDERLY woman was mugged of her pension money in broad daylight after a struggle with a young robber.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident, in Providence Row, Durham, as the 77-year-old woman made her way to a friend's house in the Sands area of the city.

On reaching the junction with Wanless Terrace, a young man rushed at her from behind and grabbed her black nylon shopping bag.

She tried to hang on to the bag, despite falling to the ground, but the robber eventually prised it from her grasp before making off.

The woman, from Carrville, on the outskirts of Durham, was left badly shaken, suffering minor cuts and bruises.

But as she suffers from a heart condition, detectives said the consequences could easily have been far worse.

The woman's bag contained £180, most of which was her pension money which she collected earlier in the week.

Her bag also contained her purse, pension book and various other items, including her bus pass and library card.

The robber is described as in his late teens and about 6ft. He was wearing a green tracksuit, white training shoes and a grey baseball cap.

Anyone with information about the incident, which took place on Thursday, at 11am, is asked to contact Durham City CID, on 0191-386 4222, or the freephone Crimestoppers' line, on (0800) 555111.