An 87-year-old woman befriended by a teenage girl who helped her carry her shopping home, later discovered her purse was missing.

The pensioner, who lives in Third Avenue, Tang Hall, York, was approached by the girl, who was aged about 18 with long fair hair, outside a local shop.

They returned to her home together and when the young girl left the woman discovered her purse, containing cash, had gone.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, July 29, 2003