PURSE-snatchers are finding rich pickings in Worcester city centre and police have warned shoppers to be on their guard.

One victim, 70-year-old grandmother Rosemary Challis, was devastated after her purse - containing the only photo of her late husband as well as £130 in cash - was stolen while she was buying a top from a charity shop for her nine-year-old granddaughter.

The grandmother-of-eight said: "I don't know why people do things like this. I wish they'd stop picking on old people."

Mrs Challis was in the Save the Children shop in Pump Street at 11am on Tuesday. As she approached the till she noticed her bag was unzipped and the purse was gone.

Mrs Challis was one of several people who on the same day fell prey to thieves, who got away with wallets, handbags and other valuables.

Mrs Challis, from Rose Avenue, Tolladine, Worcester,said she had seen a man and a woman, both of whom she thought were in their 30s, behaving suspiciously. She added: "He must have just brushed past me and handed the purse to her."

The man is described as being well-built and tall, possibly 6ft 4in, while the woman was thin and wore a baseball cap.

A police spokesman warned shoppers to be vigilant and to take precautions. He said: "Purses and handbags should be kept shut and out of sight at all times and, ideally, carried on your person."

Later, another woman's purse, containing £60, was stolen in the Cancer Research Campaign shop in The Cross.

An Asian man and woman were seen acting suspiciously nearby. The man was slim, aged 18 to 20 and 5ft 6ins tall, while the woman was slim, 5ft tall, with long dark hair.

At 12.30pm to 12.45pm, a woman's pension and pension card were stolen between Angel Place and Iceland Frozen Foods in Friary Walk, when thieves unzipped a pouch on her shopping trolley, while a woman lost her savings book and £100 in the Pound Shop, The Shambles, between 11.30am and 12.15pm.

She saw an Asian couple standing very close to her. The balding man is described as "tubby" and about 40, while the female is thought to be about 16.

Witnesses can call police on 08457 444888.