DETECTIVES are hunting a robber who grabbed a pensioner's handbag and made off with cash as she sat terrified in her car.

The attack happened as the 84-year-old woman was getting out of her car in the Millgate car park in Thirsk, North Yorkshire

The woman had moments earlier driven her white Renault 5 into the car park and was getting out of her car to attend a dentist appointment when a man in his 20s approached her and asked for directions.

Seconds later the man, who the pensioner has described as looking "quite respectable and well spoken", grabbed her handbag from the car's footwell.

She clung to the bag but the robber pulled it from her grasp then stood next to the car rifling through it.

Her assailant took cash and then warned the woman to stay quiet because he had a knife.

He then threw the bag back into the car and ran off.

A spokesman for Northallerton CID said: "We are obviously seeking witnesses to the robbery.

"The lady is, of course, extremely shaken by this assault, but she has still given us a good preliminary description, which we hope will help jog people's memories."

The attack took place at 11.30am on Thursday. The robber was described as clean, tidy and well spoken.

He was white, 5ft 8in, of average build, and had a dark moustache. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, a blue waist-length jacket and blue jeans.

Anyone who may have witnessed the attack is asked to call Northallerton CID, on (01609) 789455.