A CANCER sufferer who is terrified of dogs was robbed by a young thug who threatened her with a bull terrier and then a knife.

Elizabeth Dean, aged 53, was cut on the hand as she tried to protect her face from the robber's knife as she walked through Little Hulton.

The thug forced Mrs Dean, who is recovering from surgery for stomach cancer, to hand over £10 before fleeing. She said: "I am terrified of dogs and, as I walked down the road, I became aware of the dog and the shadow of a man with it.

"I asked him if the dog bites and he said: Forget the dog. Just give us your money'.

"He then brought out a knife and was going for my face with it. I put my hand up to protect myself and he cut it.

"All I had on me was a £10 note and I gave him that. It was terrifying." Mrs Dean was walking along Claremount Drive at 5.45am on New Year's Day when she was confronted by the youth and his brindle-coloured Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

She had earlier left her home nearby to walk to a shop to buy a newspaper and cigarettes and the robber struck as she left the shop.

Police have offered a £250 reward for help in catching the thug, who is described as white, aged 18 to 20, of medium build, with a shaven head. He was wearing dark clothing.

Det Sgt Aaron Duggan said: "We are determined to catch this youth. This was a vicious attack on a vulnerable lady."

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5252 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.