An elderly woman was thrown to the ground and robbed in broad daylight - all for the sake of just £4.

Police said the attack on the pensioner could have been far more serious and were today appealing for help in catching the attacker.

The 73-year-old woman was walking to the Saltaire Co-op along Queen's Road, Moorhead, in Shipley when she was attacked and thrown to the ground.

At about 3.30pm on Sunday, she noticed a red BMW car with two men inside it parked on the pavement as she passed.

The passenger then got out and attacked the woman from behind, trying to grab her shoulder bag.

She tried to keep hold of her bag and was wrenched to the ground, hitting her head.

The robber ran to the BMW with her leather shoulder bag and the men escaped. Her purse had just £4 in it.

The woman was left shocked and bruised but declined hospital treatment.

Detective inspector Trevor Gasson, of Keighley CID, said: "This was a vicious attack on a vulnerable elderly female who was going about her daily business.

"The implications of the injuries could have been more serious. They were just waiting for a vulnerable person to pick on.

"It was obvious that the victim put up a fight to stop her bag from being stolen but the offenders carried on regardless."

The attacker is described as a white man, aged between 16 and 20 and about 5ft 6ins tall.

He had ginger to blonde hair and was wearing a baseball cap and light-coloured top.

The driver of the car also had ginger hair. He was about 20 years old and thick set.

Det Insp Gasson appealed for anyone with information or any witnesses to ring Keighley police on (01535) 617083.