GUTSY gran Sylvia Riley knew how to react when she came face-to-face with a teenage mugger - she hit him with her walking stick.

The great-grandma, 72, was on her way to the hairdressers for her weekly shampoo and set when the yob confronted her and yelled at her to hand her bag over.

But Sylvia, who has brought up four sons, said she knew how to handle the thief and belted him with the stick.

The attacker, who struck as Sylvia walked down an alleyway, off Lodge Close in Dukinfield, yelped in pain and ran off.

Sylvia said: "The sun was behind me and I could see his shadow on the floor.

"I turned round and he confronted me. He shouted `Give me your bag, you old cow'.

"But I brought up four sons so I know how to handle lads.

"I thought `there's no way you're having my money' so I cracked him with the stick.

Shocked

"It must have shocked him because he ran off, shouting more abuse as he fled away. I was a bit shaken up but he definitely wasn't getting the better of me so I carried on and went and had my hair done.

"They called the police at the hairdressers and they came to take a statement. I never usually go out alone except when I go to get my hair done.

"A lot of elderly people live in the bungalows near there. He was probably lying in wait.

"Maybe he'll think twice next time.I've not really told anyone about it apart from the police.

"But knowing me if I'd hurt the lad badly I'd have probably stayed and called an ambulance for him."

The thief was white, aged about 15, 5ft 4in and wearing a dark hooded jumper with a blue trim and black tracksuit bottoms with white stripes.

Pc Karen Mather, of Ashton police, said: "Anyone prepared to threaten a lone elderly woman is nothing short of a coward.

"I would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at the time or who may have witnessed the incident to come forward and speak to police."

Witnesses to the incident on Wednesday are asked to call Ashton police on 856 9260, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.