A PENSIONER was left with a broken nose when a vicious thief ripped her handbag from her grasp.

The 73-year-old woman needed hospital treatment after the distressing incident at 11.25am in Ramsgate on Monday.

The victim was walking through the alleyway that runs parallel to Grove Road and North Avenue when she heard footsteps behind her.

She stopped with her back against the wall to let the person pass but instead was punched in the face and fell to the ground, on top of her handbag.

The thief then grabbed the bag and pulled so hard the straps snapped from it, before running off.

The woman, who also suffered grazed and swollen hands, managed to get to the end of the alleyway and ask a passing motorist for help.

The bag is large with a blue and beige check pattern and contained a brown leather purse, library book, pension card, bus pass, newspaper cuttings and £130 in cash.

The victim did not get a good look at the man, but has described him as white, aged around 25 years old, clean shaven, with dark brown hair, and wearing a white top.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Clare Walker on 01843 231055 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.