A pregnant mother was due to undergo emergency scans on her unborn baby today after she was thrown to the ground by a mugger.

The 27-year-old victim, who is three-and-a-half months pregnant, had three earrings ripped out during the attack in All Saints Road, Little Horton, shortly before 1pm yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Fountain, of Toller Lane CID, said officers had been left appalled by the level of violence used against her.

He said the woman was pushing her seven-month-old baby along in a pushchair when the mugger grabbed and tried to wrench some necklaces from her throat. She struggled and he pushed her to the ground and pulled the earrings out. He ran off towards Dirkhill Street, said Det Sgt Fountain.

"This was a disgusting attack on a defenceless mother in broad daylight. We need the public's help to catch the person who has carried it out," he said.

"She's been left with cuts to her right ear, her knees and bruising as well as shock and pains in her stomach. We don't know yet how the attack might have affected the woman."

The woman suffered bad stomach pains since the attack and was expected to undergo an emergency scan in hospital today.

The attacker was Asian, tall and slim with short, black hair, long nose and bushy eyebrows and wearing a worn, light brown, waist-length jacket.

Anyone with information about the attack should contact Toller Lane CID on (01274) 376285.