AN 84-YEAR-OLD Burnley woman who was mugged for her pension in the street has spoken of her ordeal.

As reported by the Lancashire Telegraph on Tuesday, Ora Walton was knocked to the floor by her six-foot attacker and had her purse stolen after leaving the post office in Todmorden Road, Burnley.

It was the third time she has been targeted after burglars have raided her home twice before.

The incident has shocked the local community and police have said they are determined to catch the thug who stole £136.71.

Ora, who lives in Burnley Wood, was attacked from behind as she headed home along Temple Street and shoved to the ground.

In the attack, on Monday at 10am, the mugger reached into her coat pocket, stealing her purse which contained her pension, loose change and a bus pass.

Ora had to be taken to Burnley General Hospital after being left with badly bruised legs and a swollen finger.

The pensioner said she spent her childhood in a now demolished street where Marks and Spencer is in the town centre.

After working as a weaver in a cotton mill, in the Oxford Road area, she had jobs cleaning and in laundries.

Over the last 50 years, she has lived in Brunshaw and Burnley Wood areas with her 87-year-old widowed sister, Amy Parkinson.

Speaking from her home yesterday, she said: “He did it that quickly and knocked me on the floor, I couldn’t get up.

"He took my purse out of my coat and I never made it home with my pension to do my shopping. I wanted to use it to pay a few bills.

“I was peeved because it should never have happened.

"If he needs money he should get some work - there are cleaning jobs about.

“We have been robbed before, a few years ago when we lived in a different house. They came round and took money again."

According to Mrs Parkinson, who is hard of hearing, burglars targeted the pair at one of their previous homes.

She said burglars forced their way into their home and pushed them to the floor before stealing money set aside for Christmas.

“I think someone is watching us,” she said.

“The courts should put them away for a long time.”

Rosehill with Burnley Wood Coun Karen Heseltine said the community was rallying round to support Miss Walton and Mrs Parkinson.

She said: “How could anybody be so despicable? I can’t believe it.

“We have had a whip round and we’re going to take it down to her.

"It won’t solve the problem, but at least she won’t be out of pocket.”

Police said house-to-house inquiries had taken place.

The robber is described as white, aged between 30 and 40, around 6ft tall and of a slim build.

He had medium brown hair which was greying at the temple and was wearing a dark waist length jacket.

Detective Inspector Simon Cheyte, of Burnley CID, said: “This is shocking attack on a defenceless elderly lady in broad daylight and we need the public’s help to catch the person responsible.

“The victim has been left badly shaken with sores and bruises.”

Anyone with any information should call Burnley Police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.