FEARLESS Liz-Serena Atkin has described the moment she broke the nose of a thief who tried to steal her handbag.

Plucky Mrs Atkin, 27, of Woodfield Road, Princes Risborough, punched the youth after being hit on the back of her head.

"I feel proud of what I did, but it's the way I am. I don't think they will trouble me again," she said.

The attack took place at about 10.30pm on Thursday, April 7. Mrs Atkin was sitting on a car park wall in New Road when three teenagers tried to snatch her handbag.

She said: "I had been out to dinner and was dropped off on New Road. I thought I'd be okay walking back from there so I stopped to roll a cigarette that's when they came up to me."

Mrs Atkin added: "They didn't say anything. One just went for my bag. I held on because I was angry. It didn't have any money inside, but there were some personal photos."

When Mrs Atkin resisted, one of the youths hit her on the back of her head. As she fell Mrs Atkin managed to punch the youth trying to take her bag on the nose.

She said: "I heard him say that bitch has broke my nose'. As his friend helped him up I ran towards Woodfield Road."

The three attackers began to give chase, but gave up as Mrs Atkin approached her front door.

Two of the youths are white. One was aged 16 to 17, 5ft 8in tall, of slim build. He had dark hair with a small triangular shaped fringe, short sideburns and a thin-looking face.

The second was about 18 years old, 5ft 10in tall and medium build. His hair was spiked up, possibly peroxide blonde. He had a square jaw, a possible hare lip, and was wearing a dark-coloured tracksuit. The third attacker, who attempted to steal the handbag, was mixed race. He was 15 to 16 years old, 5ft 6in tall and chubby. He had rounded Afro-type hair, and was wearing a light coloured Nike T-shirt.

Detective Constable Abbe Breen, said: "I believe these suspects are local. I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who knows a man fitting the mixed race description who received an injury to his nose on that date."

Gary Hall, Princes Risborough mayor, said Mrs Atkin should be put forward for a citizenship award for bravery, handed out every year in May.

Contact Det Con Breen on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111