Pensioner (94) rushed to hospital after being pushed over by shoplifter fleeing Padiham supermarket

The incident happened at around 11am on Friday when a man entered Tesco in Wyre Street attempting to steal a number of bottles of Jack Daniels.

When challenged by staff he ran from the store, barging into a worker and a 94-year-old woman, causing her to fall to the floor. The woman suffered a broken shoulder and was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

The offender is described as white, 5ft 10in tall, with a black eye. He was wearing a black baseball cap, black face mask, blue jacket and grey tracksuit pants.

Police are urging anyone who recognises the man described to come forward.

Det. Insp Paul Langley, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a shocking incident which has left an elderly woman seriously injured requiring hospital treatment.

“We would appeal to the community for information in helping to identify this man. Did you see what happened? Did you see a man leaving the store with bottles of whiskey?

“If so please come forward and help our enquiries.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 0408 of November 20.