A WOULD-be thief repeatedly slammed a woman’s head into a wall while trying to snatch her handbag.

The 56-year-old woman was attacked while walking along Clifton Street in Leigh at about 10.30am on November 12.

Police have released an e-fit of the attacker and are appealing to anyone who recognises him to come forward.

The woman was walking towards Priestners Way when the mugger tried to snatch her handbag.

During the ensuing struggle, the woman’s head was slammed into the side of a house three times.

The man also punched her in the face and kicked her in the chest as he tried to get her to drop the bag.

The attack only ended when a passerby who heard the woman's cries for help tried to intervene.

The robber then panicked and let go of the bag, running off towards the Marsh playing field.

The man was white, in his early 20s, slim and about 5ft 8in tall. He was wearing a black baseball cap and a white and black jacket with a blue jumper.

Det Con Darren Reid said: "By any stretch of the imagination this man’s actions were brutal and violent and he needs to be caught.

"Despite the ordeal she suffered, this woman has been brave enough to work with our forensic imaging specialists to produce an accurate picture of the man who attacked her and I would ask that people look carefully at the image.

"If you think you recognise this man or perhaps see him hanging around the area then please call us immediately."

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