A pensioner is fighting for her life after muggers stole her handbag which contained her husband's ashes.
Nellie Geraghty, 79, is critically ill in hospital after she suffered serious head injuries when she desperately tried to cling on to the bag.
She was found collapsed in an alleyway near her home in Shaw, Oldham, on Thursday lunchtime.
Inside her handbag was a blue velvet bag containing the ashes of her husband - who died 17 years ago - in a small box and also ?200 in cash.
Witnesses described seeing two teenage males, aged between 16 and 19, running from the scene at the junction of Kershaw Street and Victoria Street towards Elizabeth Grove.
Superintendent Catherine Hankinson said: "An elderly woman now lies in hospital fighting for her life and I want to make a plea to the community - if you have any idea who did this then please get in touch.
Police announced this morning that Mrs Geraghty had died in hospital following the robbery on Thursday afternoon.
Her sister Maureen, 69, had been keeping a vigil at Mrs Geraghty's bedside at Royal Oldham Hospital.
She told police recovering the ashes was the most important thing for the family.
My condolences to the family.
