DETECTIVES have appealed for witnesses to an attempted robbery in a North Yorkshire town to come forward.

North Yorkshire Police said a woman was walking in Duchy Avenue, Harrogate, at about 11.25am on Sunday, June 17, when she was approached from behind by a man.

A spokesman for the force said: "The man grabbed hold of her handbag and attempted to take it from her.

"After struggling with the victim for a couple of seconds, the man gave up and released the bag and made off from the area, back up Duchy Avenue, in the direction of Glebe Road. The victim, a 34-year-old woman from Harrogate, was left unhurt but very shaken by the incident."

Police later said the suspect was believed to be in his late twenties, about five feet 11 inches tall, and clean shaven.

He was described as having a large, chubby build and was wearing a dark baseball cap, dark tracksuit bottoms and an orange hooded top with a dark jacket over it.

Officers want to hear from anyone who has any information which could assist the investigation.

If you can saw the incident or have information which could help, phone 101, select option two and ask to speak to PC Kelvin Troughton.

Alternatively, email Kelvin.Troughton@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 quoting reference 12180107736.