TWO teenagers are being hunted after they grabbed an elderly woman's walking stick, pushed her to the floor and stole her handbag and shopping.

The 64-year-old needed hospital treatment for a black eye, bruises and grazing after the broad-daylight attack in Blackburn's Corporation Park.

Police have branded the offence as "callous" while political leaders from the area said that it was "horrendous" that an elderly woman should be targeted in this way.

The pensioner was walking in the park near the Alexander Road Gate entrance, when two teenagers grabbed her hood, pulling it over her face to force down her head and demanded she gave them her walking stick.

After a struggle, she was knocked to the floor, hitting her head, and the robbers took her handbag and shopping bag from her arm.

The bags were later found abandoned in the car park, and only a silver Nokia phone had been taken, police said.

Passers-by in the park went to the woman's aid, but left after she was taken by ambulance to the Royal Blackburn Hospital. She was subsequently released after treatment.

Inspector Graham Ashcroft, of Blackburn police, said: "There were a few people in the park at the time and some of them helped this lady but left before the police arrived at the scene. We would like to speak to those people.

"This was a very distressing and callous attack and if anybody out there knows the individuals responsible or saw them in the park we would really like to hear from them."

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive memmber for neighbourhoods Salim Lorghat said the incident, which occurred just after 5.30pm on Thursday, was "shocking."

He said: "The fact that it was in broad daylight almost makes it even more horrendous, and attacks on elderly people are particularly disturbing.

"Everybody, old and young, whatever their background, should be able to use the park without fear, and the community must work with the police to find those responsible."

Corporation Park ward councillor John Wright said he hoped the attack was an isolated incident.

He said: "Clearly this is a very serious attack and as councillors we will do everything we can to encourage people to come forward with information.

"We have done a lot of work to engage young people in that area and we have seen a reduction in crime. We don't want people to be afraid to go to the park - in fact, the more people we have using it, the less likely these attacks are."

The two attackers were both described as Asian, aged 15 to 18, and around 5ft 5in tall.

One was wearing a grey hooded top and had short spiky brown hair.

Anyone with information should call Blackburn police on 01254 51212, or Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.