A THIEF escaped in a waiting car seconds after he robbed a pensioner of her handbag.

He had approached the 69-year-old woman from behind as she walked along Beechwood Court, Prestwich.

After grabbing her bag, containing property to the value of £160, he sprinted to a nearby K-registration dark-coloured Ford Escort car which sped off.

Police say the vehicle had been stolen earlier from the Ramsbottom area. Anyone with information about the theft, which happened at 5.45pm on Friday (April 19), should ring Bury operational police unit on 856 8157.