A woman of 73 was in hospital with serious head injuries after being knocked to the ground by a mugger in Wallington.

The pensioner and a friend were on their way home from a night out on Saturday when they were attacked in Beddington Gardens.

A man in a hooded top dragged the 73-year-old to the floor, before snatching her red handbag and fleeing.

Minutes later, he returned to rob the other woman, aged 69, as she tried to comfort her friend.

After a struggle, the mugger grabbed her black handbag, which contained a tan purse with £30 in cash, credit cards, a Nokia phone and a hospital appointment card.

Detective Inspector Charles King, from Sutton CID, said: “This was a cowardly attack on two vulnerable women.

"They have been put through a frightening ordeal that has left one of them with a serious head injury and all for the sake of a few pounds.

“It is essential we catch this man and I would urge anyone who might have information or who witnessed the incident to contact us”.

The attacker escaped through an alleyway leading to Grosvenor Road and Wallington railway station shortly after 10.30pm.

He was said to be black, about 6ft, of athletic build, and in his mid-20s.

He spoke with a deep voice and wore a light coloured hoody, black jeans and dark shoes.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the older woman remained in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Her friend, who suffered minor facial cuts, has now been discharged.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Sutton CID on 020 8649 0747. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

• Get the latest crime figures in our Local Information section