A ROBBER threatened to slash a teenager with a knife as she walked home in Tadcaster early today.

The man held a knife to the 19-year-old woman's throat and demanded that she give him her handbag.

The woman, who was walking along Commercial Street at 3.20am today, escaped injury after handing over the distinctive bag.

A Selby police spokesman said the woman was extremely distressed.

The drama unfolded near the Costcutter shop, in the Spring Hill area, as the young woman returned home after a night out in Leeds.

The, attacker who escaped in the direction of the bus station car park, is described as white, aged between 25 and 30, and of a thin build with gaunt features.

He is said to be 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall and was wearing a grey zip-up jacket, which appeared to be too big for him.

The leopard print handbag and its contents, which included a watermelon-shaped purse, blue Siemens mobile phone and bank cards, is still missing.

The bag had an unusual ginger cat key ring attached to it.

Anyone with information should contact Detective Constable Jim Allen at Selby CID on 01904 631321.

Updated: 16:01 Monday, February 25, 2002