Police were studying CCTV footage from the Pendle Rise Shopping Centre in Nelson as we went to press in a bid to identify two people responsible for the theft of a purse from a pensioner.
The purse was in a bag which the 84-year-old female victim had left on a bench where she had been sitting in the centre, visiting the Farmfoods store before realising she had left her bag behind.
On her return, she found the purse, which contained money, bank cards, a bus pass and sentimental items. had gone.
Anyone with information on the theft can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.