POLICE are hunting a robber who attacked an elderly deaf and partially sighted woman in the street. 

The victim, a 90-year-old woman, was walking across the car park of the Asda supermarket in Chadderton on the Burnley Street side, shortly after 2pm on New Year's Day when the attack took place.

A robber jumped on her back and spun her round, stole her handbag and ran off round the back of the store and along Radclyffe Street.

His victim tried to chase him, but could not keep up with him.

A couple saw the man running away and found the pensioner's purse, but cash had been taken from it.

The offender is described as being a white man, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall and of slim build. He was wearing a dark jacket and hat.

Detective Constable Colette Kelleher, of Oldham's Volume Crime Unit, said: "This was a shocking attack on a woman who is particularly vulnerable because of her age and her disabilities.

"She has been left extremely shaken.

"There were quite a few people in the area at the time and I'm appealing to them to get in touch if they saw the incident or if they saw the offender before he struck.

"I would also ask people to be on the look-out for this offender and report any sightings of anyone acting suspiciously in the area. I don't want people to be unduly frightened, but I'd advise people, especially elderly people, to be extra vigilant."

Anyone with any information should call the Volume Crime Unit at Oldham on 0161 856 1978 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.