AN ELDERLY woman was left 'shaken and upset' when youths snatched her handbag as she got off a bus at a Morecambe supermarket.

Two teenage thieves grabbed the 76-year-old's handbag and ran off, but were foiled by a group of students who gave chase and were able to return the bag.

The woman was getting off a bus at Morrison's at 6.45pm on Friday and planned to have a coffee before taking another bus to her home in the Heysham area.

However, as she walked towards the store, she spotted a figure by the side of a car. He sprang out and was joined by another youth. They grabbed the bag and ran off.

The woman attempted to give chase for a short distance, but five students who were heading for the nearby bowling alley spotted the incident and chased the youths down an alleyway. The thieves, realising they were being followed, drop-ped the bag and fled.

"The lady is shaken and upset by the incident, but she is being given a lot of support by members of her family," says Sgt Terry Considine of Morecambe Police.

"I know that students sometimes get a bad press, but I have seen this lady and she can't thank them enough."

Sgt Considine adds: "Morrison's car park must have been busy at that time on a Friday evening, and I would appeal for anyone who witnessed any part of the incident to come forward."

Paul Rosen, one of the students, told the Citizen: "We heard the old lady screaming for help and saw two men running away with their handbag. When they realised they were being chased, they dropped the bag and we gave it back to her."

The thieves are described as 14 to 15-years-old. One is approximately five feet 10 inches tall and was wearing dark clothing and a light coloured baseball cap.

Witnesses can contact Morecambe police on 01524-63333.