POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 64-year-old woman out Christmas shopping was pushed to the floor as her bag was snatched.

Two men ran off towards Debenhams after robbing the woman in Northgate, Blackburn, outside Mercer's hardware store on Christmas Eve at around 10.30am.

Police said the woman was shaken and has been too scared to go into the town centre alone since the robbery.

The bag contained a small amount of cash and credit cards.

She described the men as white and wearing dark clothing. Anyone with information should call Blackburn CID on 01254 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.