A WOMAN who was brutally mugged just metres from her back door for £30 has spoken out about her terrifying ordeal.

Tracy Hunt was left with a broken shoulder, torn arm tendons and facial injuries after a man violently punched her to the ground, stamped on her hand and kicked her mouth.

The 51-year-old mother-of-two, of Handley Street, is urging people to be vigilant on the streets after the violent attack, which occurred around 4.15pm on Saturday.

Her right shoulder was broken with the force of her attacker wrenching away her cream leather handbag, with a black and white checked purse inside containing £30.

She has also been left with severe bruising to her face and possible nerve damage to her teeth, and no longer feels safe in an area she has lived all her life.

Mrs Hunt had visited a corner shop and takeaway in Market Street and had reached the corner of Carlton Street and Woodley Street, a stone’s throw from her home, when she was grabbed from behind.

The man grasped her handbag and tried to pull it from her arm but she refused to let go, hitting him three times with a plastic bag containing a kebab and shouting for help.

Mrs Hunt, who is 5ft and of a petite build, was then punched in the face by the mugger and she was knocked temporarily unconscious.

As the former hairdresser tried to protect herself the mugger viciously stamped on her hand before his foot slipped and he kicked her in the mouth.

The assailant then pulled Mrs Hunt’s handbag from her and ran away back down Woodley Street towards Market Street.

She said: “I am paranoid to go out on my now, but he is not going to win.

“People need to be aware, and very careful, especially elderly people. Do not keep your handbag in view when it gets dark. I just do not want this to happen to anyone else.

“I think the mugger thought I would not fight back, but I have worked for what I have and I was prepared to fight for it.”

Mrs Hunt, who works for Bury Council, was taken to Fairfield Hospital for several hours following the incident but was discharged later the same night.

As well as her purse, her handbag contained medical cards, silver hairdressing scissors, a grey comb, a Peppa Pig keyring and black glasses with pink dots on the frame.

Police officers are urging residents to call them if they spot the bag or its contents in their garden, back yard or wheelie bin.

Mrs Hunt’s assailant is described as Asian, around 5ft 8in, of slim build, and was wearing a dark black or blue hooded top with white laces and grey tracksuit bottoms.

Mrs Hunt will be unable to work until her shoulder heals, and may have to have surgery to put metal pins in the joint if the bone does not knit.

Her husband Simon and daughters Kelly, aged 26 and Kirsty, aged 20 have all been left shocked by the incident.

Kirsty said: “Mum has lived round here all her life and used to feel completely safe, but does not feel safe here now.

Kelly added: “It has made us feel angry and feel that we need to protect mum all the time. It has also taken away her dignity.”

Detective sergeant Laurence Dixon, of Bury Police, said: “This was a horrible attack on a woman who was simply walking home from the shops.

“The second she showed the slightest resistance he launched into a vicious assault, punching and kicking her unconscious, before running off with her bag.”

Anyone with information should call Bury neighbourhood policing team on 0161 856 9592 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.