AN ELDERLY woman had her handbag stolen from her while she was shopping in Marks & Spencer.

The victim, in her 80s, was in the supermarket in Station Road, New Milton, when she noticed her handbag had gone missing when she went to pay at the till.

She had placed her bag in her trolley when she arrived at the store at around 3pm on Monday, January 22.

Inside the handbag were a mobile phone, £20 in cash, bank cards, a driving licence, glasses and identity and memberships cards.

The bag is described as navy in colour, made from grain-effect leather, with a navy interior lining and three zips – one on the top and two on either side.

Police officers have released an image of a woman who may help with their enquiries.

A spokesman for Hampshire Police said: "We believe the woman in this image can help us with our investigation and would urge her, or anyone who knows her identity, to get in touch with us.

"Please also contact us if you have located a discarded bag, similar to the one described above, or any of its contents.

"Also, if you have information about this incident, saw anything suspicious in the area at the time, or have any CCTV, mobile phone, dash cam or doorbell camera footage which could aid our investigation, please contact us.

"You can do this by calling 101, or by reporting online via the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website, quoting incident number 44240031719."