A HAMPSHIRE woman had her hard-earned holiday cash stolen by a sneak thief as she shopped in her lunch-hour.

Clare Lewry had popped to the shops in West End High Street when her purse containing £170 savings was pinched.

The 48-year-old had been due to hand the cash over to a friend that evening to pay for a holiday in the autumn.

Clare had taken on a part-time cleaning job on top of her usual employment to raise the extra cash towards her longed-for dream trip to America in November.

Police believe the charcoal grey purse, also containing a bank card and photographs of Clare's grandchildren, was stolen around 12.10pm last Thursday.

At the time, she had been walking between the In-Excess discount store and The Winged Fellowship charity shop.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious on that day, or has found Claire's purse is urged to call Hedge End police on 0845 045 4545.