A 22-YEAR-OLD man was last night charged with the murder of a pensioner who died hours after she was the victim of an alleged handbag snatch.

Eileen Smith, who was 72, fell to the pavement and hit her head as she was returning from the post office having picked up her pension.

A local woman and doctors from a nearby surgery tried to help Mrs Smith, who was then taken to hospital by ambulance. However, she died six hours later.

The incident happened at about 2.30pm on Wednesday near the Co-op supermarket in Acomb, on the western side of York.

Detective Inspector Alan Carey urged anyone with any information about the incident to come forward.

"We are following all lines of inquiry after this incident, which saw the tragic death of an elderly lady, and want to resolve this as quickly as possible," he said.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said last night that a 22-year-old man had been charged with robbery and the murder of Mrs Smith. He will appear before York City magistrates this morning.

Mark Eaton, 24, who works at Acomb Pets and Aquatics, raised the alarm.

He said: "I heard a crack. I saw the old lady lying on the floor."

His mother, Sue, ran out to give Mrs Smith first aid and doctors from the Acomb Medical Practice then took over until an ambulance arrived.

Police are studying security television footage from the Co-op.

Nineteen-year-old Will Matthews, who lives only yards from the scene said: "The first thing I heard was girls screaming.

"It's really bad, a shock, especially when you have to live round here."

Mrs Smith, who lived in Acomb, died on the same day that police had urged residents to be wary of bag snatchers after at least ten incidents had recently been reported.

Anyone with information is asked to telephone Det Insp Carey, at York CID, on (01904) 631321.