POLICE are trying to trace a good Samaritan who chased a thief after he snatched an elderly woman's handbag in Skipton.

The 65-year-old victim was targeted as she walked along Carleton Road at 4.40pm on Tuesday.

She was near the railway bridge, 20 yards from the junction with Keighley Road, when the mugger struck. He grabbed her black handbag and ran off along the path to the Burnside estate.

Another man came to the victim's assistance and when she told him what had happened he set off after the thief.

He followed him up the path and then pursued him along the quarry railway line. Unfortunately the thief managed to get away, running off in the direction of the railway station.

The woman's handbag, which contained cash, a red umbrella, burgundy gloves and a flowered make-up bag, has not yet been recovered.

Police are eager to trace the thief, who is described as a white, tall and thin youth. He wore a navy blue hooded top with pale blue stripes down the arms.

A police spokeswoman said the victim was uninjured in the mugging but it had been a distressing ordeal for her.

She told the Herald: "That stretch of road at that time is extremely busy with traffic so there must have been vehicles passing. We would appeal for anybody who has seen the incident to contact us.

"It would have been very, very quick but if they can just give us a ring they might just have a snippet of information which might be the key that we need."

Police are also keen to speak to the man who chased the thief. He is described as Asian.

The spokeswoman said: "We would appeal for him to come forward. Obviously he is a good Samaritan and a key witness."

The incident is the second mugging in a week. Last Tuesday an elderly woman had her bag snatched as she walked on Keighley Road near Winston Avenue in Cross Hills.