TWO fellow politicians stepped in to help a Little Hulton councillor when she fell victim to a street attack during a visit to Dublin.

Leader of Salford Council Cllr Bill Hinds and MP for Eccles Ian Stewart came to the rescue when popular Cllr Doris Fernandez was robbed.

They were all on a Labour party trip to Ireland when Cllr Fernandez was mugged.

Mr Stewart chased after the two muggers and managed to catch one of them, who was handed over to the police, while Cllr Hinds comforted Cllr Fernandez.

Another councillor, David Lancaster, had struggled with the muggers before they fled.

Cllr Fernandez said: "We were just going into a restaurant when a young man pushed me and I saw he had his hand in my handbag. I started screaming and told him to put my purse back.

"There was a struggle between him and David Lancaster and his friend pushed us to help them get away. Several people ran after them, right up to the river.

"I was frightened because they could have had knives or anything.

"Ian Stewart managed to get one of them and handed him over to the police. They found my purse under a car but there was nothing left in it.

"I was shaking for the next few days and don't know what I'd have done without my colleagues. They were marvellous."

And it is not the first time the pair have joined to challenge thieves.

Just two weeks ago they chased thieves who stole computer equipment.

The computers were being delivered to the New Deal community centre in Kersal when they were stolen.

Cllr Hinds and Ian Stewart ran after them and managed to retrieve the equipment.

Cllr Hinds said: "People have got to realise that they just can't walk around the streets thinking they can get away with this sort of thing. At times, you've just got to make a stand."

Mr Stewart said: "I'm very pleased that Doris is safe. I was very impressed by the prompt actions of the Irish police."

MUGGED: Cllr Doris Fernandez