A pensioner suffered an angina attack after she was mugged at knifepoint on her mobility scooter.

The 72-year-old woman was viciously attacked by a robber as she travelled along a residential road in the Moorside area of Bury .

A major police investigation to find him is now underway.

The mugger, who has been described by the victim as having ‘large, dilated eyes’, approached the woman’s scooter from behind and attempted to stop it.

He grabbed at a bag she had over her shoulder and tried to wrestle it from her grasp.

Police say he then produced a three inch-long knife and attempted to cut through the bag’s strap around her chest.

She managed to hold on but he cut at the strap again then ran away with the bag towards an industrial estate off Kenyon Street.

The attack happened on Richard Burch Street at around 10.20am on Monday.

Police said her heart medication was inside the bag and she suffered an angina attack after the robbery.

She was found alone and in pain by a passer-by who dialled 999 and taken to Fairfield Hospital for treatment. She has since made a full recovery.

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Detectives described the robbery as ‘shocking’ and issued an appeal for witnesses. The man stole two purses and cash - police later found the handbag discarded in bushes on Porritt Street.

Det Con Phil Irish said: “This was a shocking attack on a vulnerable elderly woman who was going about her daily business.”

The suspect is described as white, aged in his late 30s, clean shaven and around 5ft 6ins stall. He had black hair in a ‘short back and sides’ style, large dilated pupils and was wearing a dark, waist-length jacket, a red and white top and dark coloured trousers.

Det Con Irish said the victim has been discharged from hospital but could have been seriously injured.

He added: “The woman’s medication was in the stolen bag when she suffered an angina attack and it is lucky that she is now safe and well, but this could have been far more serious. Enquiries remain ongoing and we are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area at the time to come forward.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.