A distraught mugging victim is appealing for stolen photographs of her wedding day and her late grandmother to be returned.

Jane Haywood, of St James’ Street, Accrington, had her bag snatched by two men when she was on her way home. The stolen bag was later recovered from a garden on Lang Street with cash, a bank card and 20 photographs missing.

Jane, 44, was left shaken and bruised by the events but is more anxious to recover her cherished family photos.

She said: “They came up behind me and one of them grabbed me and tried to pick me up.

“The other one snatched my handbag.

“I had about 20 pictures in my bag, they were of my dead grandmother, my auntie and of my wedding day.

“I am devastated by what happened but I don’t care about the money.

“ I just want the photos back. It would mean the world to me if they were returned.”

The muggers came up behind Jane at the junction of Cannon Street and St James’ Street.

One man restrained her while the other snatched her handbag, before they both ran off up Cannon Street.

Police would like to speak to these men captured on CCTV
Police would like to speak to these men captured on CCTV

Jane’s husband, Mark, 48, explained how his wife has changed since the mugging. He said: “Jane doesn’t want to go out any more because of this.

“She is having six asthma attacks a day and she has started suffering from depression. It would mean so much to her if the photos were returned.”

Police are currently still investigating the crime and have released CCTV images of men wanted in connection with  the mugging.

Anyone with any information is urged to get in touch on 101. DS Julie Cross, from Eastern Divisional CID, said: “The victim sustained bruising as a result of the incident and has since been suffering panic attacks.

“Both men are wearing light coloured tops and I’d appeal to anybody that knows who they are to contact police.”

The muggers are believed to be in their mid-twenties and Eastern European.

Alternatively people with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org.