Police have launched an appeal after a 27-year-old was reportedly left with a cracked skull following an attempted robbery in Cliftonville in broad daylight.

The mum-of-two, who did not wish to be named, said the attack happened between 9am and 9.10am on Thursday.

She was allegedly hit over the head by a man who demanded money from her, as she made her way home from a cash point.

Her mum-in-law Mandy Cotter said: "She's just taken out her family allowance of about £100, and had been to Tesco. He probably followed her from the cash point.

"We think he cracked her on the back of the head with the side of his hand. She said that's what it felt like.

"Thankfully, two workmen saw what happened and they shouted at him and he ran off.

"God knows what would have happened otherwise.

"She woke up the next day vomiting, and with blurred vision."

Mandy, a healthcare assistant at QEQM, encouraged her daughter-in-law to go to hospital.

"It turns out she had a small bleed, and they found a hairline fracture on her skull," she said. "She's been discharged now, and has been told to get lots of rest."

The woman, of Millmead Estate, was attacked in the alley leading between Northdown Road to Northdown Park Road.

The passage runs behind Cliftonville Primary School, where her young son and daughter go to school.

"We've told the school about what happened," said Mandy. "I want to make sure this doesn't happen to anybody else."

Police have since launched an appeal for witnesses.

Detectives say the victim reported she was hit over the back of the head before being asked for money. When members of the public intervened, the man left empty-handed towards Northdown Road.

The suspect was white, in his late 30s, 6ft, with a large build and bald. He was wearing a baby blue jacket.

Anyone with information about the incident can call police on 01843 222289 quoting ZY/015961/18, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.