A THIEF stole the purse belonging to an 82-year-old woman as she lay dying in the street after she was hit by a lorry, it has emerged.

The woman has now been identified after she was hit by an articulated lorry in Leigh Road, Leigh, at about 11.45pm on Wednesday.

But police were unable to identify her body at first because she had no identification.

They now believe the purse was stolen from her body.

After the accident, police received information from witnesses that a man was seen stealing her purse before leaving.

He was white, 6ft tall, between 30 and 40 years old, medium build and had a dark brown beard.

He was wearing a light grey hooded top with the hood pulled over his head, light blue jeans and black boot-style trainers.

Det Sgt Neil Lawless said: “This is one of the most disgusting crimes I have ever investigated and I find it hard to believe someone could stoop so low to commit such a horrific offence.

“This man has taken what he sees as an easy opportunity by stealing a purse from a dying woman.

"I am sure the community will be equally disgusted and I appeal to anyone who may have seen this man take the purse and walk off on Leigh Road.

“There are a number of rumours circulating on social media at the moment but I would like to reassure residents we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible.

“However, for us to do so, we need your help. If you have any information, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please call us as soon as possible.”

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