Rachael Harris, 27, was walking along Fitzgerald Street, Ribbleton, Preston, when she was approached from behind by the offender.

The robber grabbed at her mobile phone and lunged for her handbag before punching her to the floor.

But he fled empty handed in a Volkswagen Golf after she refused to let go. The mother-of-two said: "There was no way I was letting him get my bag. He ran away and as soon as he got in the passenger seat the car was off.

"I'm just glad it wasn't 10 minutes later when I had my daughter with me."

Mrs Harris, who lives with her husband Stephen in Ribbleton, was walking to collect her daughter from nearby Rigby Street when she was attacked at 11.05am on Monday.

After the incident she was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, where she discovered she had suffered whiplash and concussion.

Mrs Harris, who is a full-time carer for her severely diabetic daughter, has also suffered flashbacks and was prescribed medication to help her sleep at night.

She added: "I want him to get caught. He could have done this to an old lady. I still feel sick when I think about it."

She has also been forced to replace her mobile phone after it was smashed in the attack.

Detectives said the man approached Rachael from behind, snatched her phone, dropped it, tried to snatch her bag, picked up the phone but threw it back at her when he saw it was broken.

Det Insp Dave McKenna, of Preston CID, appealed for information about the black Volkswagen Golf.

He added: "We would urge anyone who knows who this offender could be to come forward."

The attacker is described as white, 5ft 8in, gaunt and aged 35 to 40.

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