POLICE are hunting a thief who stole a woman's handbag in Middlesbrough.

The man struck at about 7.30pm on Wednesday as the 53-year-old victim walked towards the junction of Linthorpe Road and Devonshire Road.

He grabbed her handbag and ran off, getting into the passenger seat of a Rover Metro which then drove away.

The car, stolen earlier from South Gare, in Redcar, was found burnt-out in the Grove Hill area of Middlesbrough.

The thief was between 5ft 9in and 6ft, of average build, and wearing a dark tracksuit top with the hood up.

The bag contained £30, a necklace and bank cards.

Anyone with information is asked to call (01642) 303135.