POLICE are hunting a woman who attacked a pensioner with a hammer - and her own walking stick - in broad daylight in a Yorkshire Dales market town.

The 84-year-old was hit over the head four times before being robbed in public toilets in Leyburn.

The victim, who lived locally, was tonight in a stable condition in Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The attack happened in the Kelberdale Terrace conveniences, near the Posthorn Tea and Coffee House, at about 11am yesterday.

The pensioner had just withdrawn a large amount of money and her handbag was later found empty in another public toilet opposite the town’s Sandpiper Inn.

The pensioner was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to hospital.

The toilets were cordoned off yesterday while crime scene investigators examined the area.

Police carried out door-to door searches and spoke to shoppers and shop workers in the town.

The suspect is described as a white woman in her 40s.

She was wearing a burgundy or wine-coloured winter coat and had mid-length, mid-brown hair.

She is also described as having high colour in her cheeks.

The stick, which was the woman’s own, was recovered by officers, but police are still searching for the hammer.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who either witnessed the attack or saw a woman matching the description of the suspect in either of the toilet blocks, or walking between the two, to contact them urgently.

Detective Inspector Andrea Kell described the incident as a “horrific attack on an elderly woman in broad daylight”.

She said: “It is vital that we find the person responsible.

“I am appealing to any members of the public who were in the market place if they believe they can assist the investigation, or anyone who knows who carried out this shocking attack, to contact us as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with any information should call North Yorkshire Police on 0845-60-60-247, quoting reference 0132 of 29 November.

Witnesses can also give information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.