POLICE were last night hunting the "despicable" thief who robbed a woman after she suffered an epileptic fit and collapsed in the street.

The 57-year-old victim, who was said to be distraught after the theft, blacked out as she walked through a busy area of Darlington on Tuesday night.

She told detectives that she remembered being approached by a man as she lay face down on the pavement, but instead of coming to her aid, he is thought to have stolen her purse and run off.

The incident occurred at about 8pm as the woman, who lives in the North Road area of the town, walked along Brougham Street.

About £96 and a black leather purse were taken.

The woman made her own way home after coming round.

Detective Sergeant Peter Hutchinson, of Darlington police, said nobody had helped the woman after she became ill.

"It appears that nobody has come to her aid and this is some despicable thief," he said.

"It is pretty horrendous to take advantage of somebody like that when any normal, right-thinking person would have been concerned for her health and well-being."

Police are now appealing for witnesses, or anyone with information, to come forward urgently.

The victim did not need hospital treatment, but Det Sgt Hutchinson said she was extremely shaken. She was still recovering yesterday.

"She can hardly remember anything about it. She only knows it was a male who approached her," he said.

The incident came nearly a year after a 45-year-old father-of-three was robbed of his bracelet, neck chain and mobile phone as he lay dying in a Darlington street.

John Clayton collapsed after discharging himself from Darlington Memorial Hospital last August and had his belongings stolen by an opportunist thief.

He died three days after the incident.

Anyone with information about Tuesday's theft is asked to contact Darlington police's crime desk on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.