POLICE are hunting a pair of con artists who stole a handbag from the lap of a pensioner as she sat in her wheelchair.

The pair approached the 84-year-old victim on Bury Market and one spoke to her to get her attention while the other swiped her handbag, which contained cash and treasured family photographs.

The victim, who has asked to remain anonymous, was out shopping with her 53-year-old daughter and the incident happened near the watch stall at around 2pm on November 21.

Her blue disabled parking badge, her purse and her house keys, were also in the bag, which is brown.

Her daughter said: “We were trying to get through the crowds and this man came up and started talking to her and laughing, it was a bit strange. He had a woman with him and suddenly she turned her back and was gone.

“It was only when we went into BHS for a coffee that we noticed her bag was gone.

“My mum has been really shaken up by it. When we got home she wouldn’t eat anything and didn’t want to stay on her own. We had to change the locks the next day because her keys had been taken.

“She’s really upset and I think it has knocked the stuffing out of her. She isn’t bothered about the cash, but there was a photo of her mum in there which means a lot to her.”

Police are investigating and are appealing for witnesses to get in touch.

A Bury Police spokesman said: "This was a terrible crime on a vulnerable victim and we want the public's help in catching the two people responsible.”

The man is described as white, aged between 40 and 45, 5ft 8in tall, and slim with short cropped brown hair, and possibly wearing a grey jacket.

The woman is described as white, aged between 40 and 45, 5ft 4in tall, with a weathered face and wearing bleach blonde hair in a high ponytail. She was also wearing a black padded jacket.

Call Bury Police on 0161 856 8181 for more information.