A 79-YEAR-old woman was punched in the head during a vicious street robbery in Windmill Hill, Runcorn.

The elderly victim was walking from the bus stop on Southway into Westwood when she was approached from behind and punched.

The man snatched her purse causing the woman to fall to her hands and knees before making off in the direction of Westwood.

The woman was left shaken with cuts to her hands and knees and a lump on her head.

The offender was white, aged 17-18 years, of slim build and was wearing a jacket with the hood pulled up over his head and face.

Anyone with information about the incident, which took place at 5.55pm on Wednesday January 23, should contact DC Ciara Murphy at Runcorn specialist investigation unit on 01244 613966, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.