A 70-YEAR-OLD woman was knocked to the ground by schoolboy robbers who attacked her with a bag.

The frail pensioner was making her way home to sheltered accommodation in Bridgewater Street, Farnworth, when she was targeted by the young thugs.

The woman was knocked to the ground and banged her head on a car bonnet after one of the boys swung his bag at her.

They rifled through her pockets and stole her purse containing £97.

The pensioner was attacked between 4.10pm and 4.30pm on Tuesday, March 31.

The victim did not report the incident to the police until this week when her carer asked what had caused the back pain she was suffering.

She said she had not mentioned it because she did not want to bother anyone. The woman has since been to hospital and is recovering from her injuries.

Sgt Denise Pye, of Bolton CID’s robbery unit, said: “This was a really cowardly attack on a vulnerable, elderly lady who has been left badly shaken by her ordeal.

“She suffered a cut to her face and is now suffering from back pains as a result of the assault.

“We believe that her attackers were boys from a local school and I would appeal to anybody who has any information, or who thinks they know who carried out this assault, to get in touch with police as soon as possible.”

One of the boys had short blonde hair and all were wearing a uniform of black trousers, white shirt and black v-neck jumpers. It is thought they were also wearing dark blazers.

Anybody with any information about the attack should call Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.