Plucky grandmother Catherine McGinty saw red when a robber snatched her rucksack and threatened her with a knife - in a church.

Mrs McGinty, 50, of Allerton, Bradford, leapt to her feet and chased after the thief, who struck in Haworth Parish Church as she rested in a pew.

The robber pulled out a knife and flashed it at her as he panicked in his bid to open the swing doors at the rear of the church to make his escape.

"I wasn't frightened - I was just livid. I had my hiking boots on and was prepared to kick him where it hurts," said Mrs McGinty, who was resting in the church as she waited for a bus to take her home.

"I was so angry at what he had done. The bag had all my valuables in it."

The robber snatched the bag, which was on the pew next to her and Mrs McGinty charged after him shouting for him to stop. She grabbed the rucksack's strap and pulled at it as he struggled to get out of the church.

Several people were visiting the church - famous for its connections with the Bronte family - and on hearing her shouting, moved towards the scuffle at the door.

"He had a look of desperation on his face - absolute terror. He was very frightened - he was like a rat in a trap," she said.

Mrs McGinty, who is studying part-time for a degree in local and regional studies at Bradford University, said she did not hate the attacker, adding: "I have prayed for him. I thank God I'm not in that position. He needs help. I have sympathy for him.

"I sat down and it dawned on me the seriousness of the situation. I felt lousy - terrible - I just wanted to get home and have a cup of tea."

Mrs McGinty was visiting Haworth to see one of her three daughters and was waiting for the bus when the robber struck at about 3.15pm on Saturday.

Keighley Detective Inspector Gary Baker said: "This was a despicable act."

The robber is described as white, in his early 20s, 5ft 6ins tall, with a slim boyish figure, long dark hair swept back, stubble on his chin and dark eyes. He was wearing a dark blue and red zip -ronted jacket.

Anyone with information should telephone Keighley police on (01535) 617059 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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