TEENAGE thugs beat a disabled woman with her own walking stick in an attack on a secluded Chandler's Ford footpath.

The 27-year-old victim had been walking a dog in the Valley Park area when the two youths pounced, punching her to the ground and trampling her as they emptied her pockets.

They also used her stick to beat her before stealing her wallet which contained about £28.

Still recovering from the attack, the woman, who does not want to be named, said: "My face is black and blue. I have a swollen right eye and swollen cheek and a split lip.

"I am only 5ft 3in and weigh seven stone. I am only little and they must be absolute cowards to pick on someone like me."

She did not need hospital treatment but said: "The attack has left me angry, anxious and nervous."

The incident happened last Wednesday evening in a secluded area close to School Lane. The woman had been walking a dog on a footpath close to Salcombe Close when the two men approached from behind.

The woman said: "It was dark and was chucking it down with rain and snow. One of the two men asked if I had any spare change. As I went to say no he punched me three or four times in the face. On the fourth punch I went down on the floor."

Both attackers made off through woodland towards Eagle Close.

One was white, aged about 17. He was about 5ft 7in and stocky and wore black clothing. The other was also white and aged about 17. He was about 5ft 3in and slim. He wore a light blue tracksuit top, shiny dark blue tracksuit trousers and white trainers. He was also wearing a gold four-bar keeper ring on his left hand.

Anyone with information should ring police on 0845 045 4545.