A GRANDMOTHER was left shaken after her handbag was snatched by a teenager.

The woman had taken her grandchild to East Thirsk School when the theft took place just before 9am last Thursday.

The offender, believed to be about 17, took the handbag while the woman was walking along Hambleton Avenue, near to the path leading to Dowber Court.

The youth is described as white and tall, wearing a blue parka type top, blue tracksuit bottoms with a silver stripe down the seam and a bobble hat covered by the hood of his jacket.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on (01609) 783131.