"Despicable" thieves robbed an elderly woman as she passed out at a bus stop.

The 70-year-old had fallen ill in Meeting House Lane in Ringwood between 1.45pm and 2.15pm on Wednesday November 21.

A number of people came to her aid, but someone stole her purse from a canvas shopping bag while she was unconscious.

The theft was not discovered until she was in hospital but by then her credit card had been used to put £50 credit on a mobile phone, and there was an attempt to get cash at a bank in Christchurch High Street.

CCTV shows a man and a woman with the shopping bag. Both appear to be in their early to mid-twenties. The man is of medium build and wearing a dark hooded top with an orange or gold motif across the front. He wore jeans and white trainers.

The woman has blonde shoulder-length hair and is of medium build. She wore a dark jacket and carried a black and white stripped umbrella.

PC Tom Neale said: “This is an opportunist and, frankly, despicable act.”

Anyone with information should call PC Neale at Ringwood police station on 101 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity line on 0800 555 111.