SEVEN pensioners and a pregnant woman were robbed during a three-day crime spree by thugs in Bolton.

Among the victims were two 80-year-old women who had their bags snatched.

Police believe four of the attacks may be the work of a serial robber who has been targeting lone women for several weeks. He is thought to have claimed up to 10 victims - all women over 50 who were walking in the Halliwell and Heaton areas.

In the most recent incident, a 70-year-old woman was pushed by a robber in Marsh Fold Lane, Heaton, at 3pm on Sunday. He then grabbed her bag and fled.

Detectives believe the same man may have robbed a 69-year-old woman in Holland Street, Astley Bridge, on Friday afternoon, and two women on Saturday afternoon - a 62-year-old in Wordsworth Street, Halliwell, at 4.20pm, and an 80-year-old in Gower Street, Heaton, at 5.30pm. All were approached from behind and had handbags or shopping bags snatched from them.

They have described the man as white, in his late teens or his early 20s, slim and wearing dark tracksuits.

The man is said to have light brown, cropped hair but the victims targeted in Wordsworth Street and Gower Street said the robber was wearing a blue baseball cap.

Det Sgt Sarah Masters of Bolton CID's robbery unit said: "These were nasty attacks on women walking on their own in broad daylight.

"They bear a lot of similarities to other thefts in the same areas carried out in the last few weeks."

In other incidents, a woman, aged 80, had her handbag snatched on Saturday afternoon as she walked through Paderborn Court in Bolton town centre. The robber was described as white, in his 20s and wearing dark clothing.

On Sunday evening, at 8.30pm, a 60-year-old woman had her handbag stolen after two youths confronted her near Ridgmont Cemetery in Chorley Old Road, Horwich.

Both were described as being in their late teens, about 6ft 2ins tall, and slim.

At 2.20pm on Friday, a 34-year-old woman, who is seven months pregnant, was walking along St Helens Road, Daubhill, when a youth knocked into her.

She later realised that her mobile phone was missing.

And a 70-year-old woman's purse was taken from her bag at 2.20pm on Saturday in Victoria Square in Bolton town centre. The thief is described as 14 years old, 5ft 2ins tall, and had short fair hair.

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 5645 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.