An elderly woman had her handbag snatched after suffering a serious fall in Penrith town centre.

The 81-year-old suffered serious head and facial injuries and was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, by ambulance.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, outside Costa Coffee on Angel Lane, at about 1.20pm yesterday.

Several people rushed to help the woman.

However witnesses reported seeing another woman snatch her handbag as she lay on the ground, seriously injured.

Police say they are investigating how the woman sustained the injuries, and reports that her handbag was removed by a woman in the area.

Sandra Hunter was sitting outside Costa and saw it unfold.

She said the woman who took the bag was also an older woman, wearing a waterproof red jacket and using a walking stick.

She said: "We heard a thud and looked up, to see her hit the ground.

"This woman was right next to her. They were side by side. We thought she was with her but it turns out she wasn't.

"She used her stick to pick the bag up. Then when we looked she wasn't there. We thought she'd gone into Boots or to get help, but she never came back. She'd just walked off with the bag.

"I can't get over it. How could anyone do something like that? The woman's face was a real mess. It was just awful."

Her daughter Kerryanne Wilde, from Shap, was among those in the vicinity when it happened, and rushed to help.

She said she was supported by staff from the nearby Boots and Costa branches, and other passersby.

She said: "I administered emergency first aid and supported the paramedic until the ambulance came and took her to the hospital.

"Today showed me that there are many really genuine, honest, caring individuals in our community but also some real horrible nasty ones who will take advantage of any situation."

Anyone with information that may help the investigation is asked to call Cumbria Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.