AN 85-year-old pensioner was taken to hospital after a thug pulled her to the ground while stealing her handbag.

She was waiting at a bus stop near the Eagle pub, in Durham Lane, Eaglescliffe, Teesside, yesterday, when she was approached by the youth.

He grabbed her handbag, pulling her to the ground, then fled towards the car park in the nearby Tesco store where he got into the back of a grey Peugeot 309 which headed north.

Two men, who are thought to have seen the attack, ran over and helped the woman to her feet. Police are trying to trace them.

Although not seriously hurt during yesterday afternoon's mugging, the woman was taken to hospital for a precautionary check-up.

It is thought that more than £60 in cash and other personal items were stolen from the handbag.

Cleveland Police also believe a woman on the opposite side of the road may have seen what happened.

The victim, who was attacked at about 1pm, could give only a limited description of the thug. He was in his late teens or early twenties and was wearing light clothing.

Anyone with information on the attack should contact PC Steve Passman, of Yarm police, on (01642) 302226.