A thief snatched a digital camera from a woman as she walked to a friend's Newton Aycliffe home to show her some holiday photographs.

The woman, who is in her early 20s, was walking towards a path near Hatfield Road when she was confronted by a group of children thought to be about ten to 12 years old on Sunday afternoon.

One of the youngsters grabbed the £300 Sony Cybershot camera and ran off.

Police believe the youth targeted the woman because she appeared weak and unable to resist as she was recovering from a recent operation.

The youth is described as about ten or 11 years old, 5ft 4in, small with light-coloured spiked hair. He was wearing a dirty black sweater, scruffy blue jeans and shabby white trainers.

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at about 2.50pm on Sunday, is asked to contact PC Andy MacLintock, of Newton Aycliffe police, on 0845 60 60 365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111