A MOTHER is warning people to be careful with their mobile phones after she was mugged in the street.

Charlene Bessell, aged 32, had her Samsung Galaxy S2 in her hand when two youths in hoodies snatched it from her.

It happened in Waters Meeting Road, Astley Bridge, at 12.20pm on Wednesday.

Miss Bessell, who has a 12-year-old daughter, was using the £400 phone to send emails to apply for jobs.

Now she is warning people to keep their phones out of sight to avoid falling victim to this sort of crime.

Miss Bessell, aged 32, said: “I was on my way to the Cotton Kier pub to meet a friend for lunch.

“I had my phone in my hand as I was applying for jobs, when I realised someone was behind me.

“He walked past and I thought to myself he could have had my phone, which was a weird thing to think, and then another lad came close to me and grabbed it out of my hand and they ran off.

“I was in shock. I chased after them but they got away. Thinking about it, if I had caught up with them they could have kicked seven bells out of me. It is not worth it for a phone.

“I am always telling my daughter not to have her phone on show, and now this has happened to me.”

She said she was now scared of walking alone and wanted people, especially youngsters, to keep their phones out of sight.

The phone was in a green leather case, which also had cash and a bank card inside.

A police spokesman said no-one has been arrested and that inquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.