A MIDDLE-AGED woman pushed a pensioner to the floor and snatched her shopping bag before attempting to run off.

But a passer-by, who was walking his dog, confronted the assailant, who then dropped the bag and fled.

The woman, believed to be about 50, approached the 70-year-old victim from behind, at 6.10pm on Thursday, in Barrington Road, Newton Aycliffe. The attacker was white, about 5ft 4ins tall and wore a green jacket, black trousers and dark green glasses. Her hair was "like a grown out perm".

Detective Constable Ian Ferguson, of Newton Aycliffe CID, is asking anyone who may have seen her to call (01325) 314401.