A BLIND woman was left shocked after being pounced on by handbag snatchers.

Lilian McCarthy, 39, was making her way home from work along Union Street, Middlesbrough, at 5.15pm on Tuesday, when she was attacked.

She was with her guide dog, Morag, when she was approached by a thief or thieves, who grabbed her handbag before running off along Manor Street.

Ms McCarthy was left shocked but unhurt after the robbery.

Her black handbag contained £23 in cash, as well as personal items, including letters and a passport.

Although everything but the money has now been recovered, she said the mugging has shaken her confidence.

"At the time I was pretty distressed. I went into the off-licence I pass on the way home and burst into floods of tears," she said.

Ms McCarthy has received help in getting over her ordeal from her colleagues at the Grange Road job centre.

She said: "They had a whip round and bought me a new handbag and a new purse, and gave me about £80, which I was touched by."

She said: "Morag and I were really lucky that we weren't hurt. If I had been aware that my bag was being snatched and I had put up a struggle, we might have been."

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact PC Gary Purvis, of Middlesbrough police, on (01642) 303126