AN 87-year-old woman was robbed of £1,300 she had just withdrawn from a bank by two female thieves who followed her onto a bus in Ilford town centre.

The woman had collected the money from the Royal Bank of Scotland in Cranbrook Road shortly after noon on Friday, and done some shopping in the town centre before getting onto the 86 bus.

She rang the bell to be dropped outside Ilford Library in Clements Road but, as she did so, one of the muggers grabbed hold of her arm.

She thought at first that the woman was trying to help her off the bus, but then another woman grabbed her money and the two ran off towards Chadwick Road.

The woman who grabbed her arm is described as about 35 years old and Asian, and the woman who grabbed the money is thought to be around 20 years old, Asian, of medium build, wearing black trousers and a white shirt, with black hair tied up in a bunch.

Anyone with information should call DC David Taylor in the robbery squad at Ilford police on 8345 2667.