A WOMAN has been left bruised and shaken after she was robbed of her handbag.

The 58-year-old was targeted on Hastings Way, Thornaby, at around 8pm on Thursday, January 8.

As she was placing her walking stick onto the back seat of her car she was approached by a man who asked her for directions. Moments later the man pushed her to the ground in front of her 11-year-old niece and grabbed her handbag from her shoulder.

He made off towards the Best One Store on Vulcan Way, leaving the woman lying in the road shouting for help.

The victim was left shaken, however, did not need medical treatment. She suffered a graze to her arm and bruising.

The man is described as white, around 30-40 years old, approximately 5ft 8ins tall, with a clean shaven complexion, of stocky build wearing all black clothing and a black woollen hat. He spoke with slightly slurred speech.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Alan O’Donoghue from Stockton Volume Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.