A THIEF threatened to kill a terrified woman before pushing her into a wall and stealing her handbag.

The robbery happened at about 6.30am on 26 October 2009 on Chadderton Park Road, Chadderton.

The 41-year-old victim was walking towards the junction with Cathedral Road when a black Vauxhall Corsa pulled up having driven down the wrong side of the road.

A man got out and demanded the victim's bag, threatening to kill her unless she gave it to him. Panicking she started to remove the handbag, but the offender snatched it from her shoulder and pushed her into a garden wall, causing her to bang her head.

He then jumped back into the car and drove off on the wrong side of the road towards Chadderton Hall Road.

The thief is described as Asian, about 5ft 7in tall, of a very skinny build and with short dark hair. He had very bad skin, and was wearing dark clothing and a large silver St David's Star chain. The other man in the car was also Asian, in his late 20s and had dark hair.

Police Constable Simon Moyles said: "The victim is distraught at having been robbed by a callous and cruel thief who even threatened to kill her unless she handed over her bag.

"We need to catch these offenders and take them off the streets.

"I would appeal to anyone who has information to come forward. The car they were driving was travelling down the wrong side of the road and would have been driven at speed, so I would ask anyone who was on their way to work and saw this Corsa to call us."

Anyone with information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.