A CYCLIST mugged a 79-year-old woman and stole her purse in broad daylight.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack, which took place near to a busy supermarket.

The victim was walking near the bridge over the River Tone onto Somerset Square, in Taunton, towards Coal Orchard Car Park.

She then felt something hit her from behind, causing her to stumble forward during the incident at around 12.30pm on Friday.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: "A man on a bike had collided with the woman before grabbing her purse and cycling back over the bridge towards the Morrisons store."

The suspect is described as a white man, 5ft 10ins tall, of skinny build, with a light scruffy beard.

He was wearing a light brown Parka jacket with the hood up and riding a black mountain bike with white lettering on it.

The victim is a white woman with grey hair in a bob style and was wearing a camel coloured jacket, a green checked skirt and brown shoes.

PC Sam Hughes said: “The victim has been left extremely shaken up by this incident.

“This took place in the middle of the day close to a busy supermarket, so I am sure someone would have seen something."

“Any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it might be, might prove crucial to us catching the offender.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 and quote crime reference number 5217041853.

Information can also be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.