POLICE are investigating the alleged theft of an elderly woman’s purse that contained over £1,000 of her pension money.

The woman, who is in her seventies, was shopping in Darlington town centre on November 15 and was in the Covered Market at about 11.30am when she realised her purse had gone missing.

It contained over £1,000 in cash that she had earlier withdrawn from her pension to spend on Christmas presents.

Darlington Police are investigating and anyone who has any information should contact 101.