A WOMAN managed to fight off a would-be robber by hitting him over the head with a bottle of wine.

The 55-year-old woman was walking along Barton Croft, Barton-on-Sea sometime between 6.30pm and 7pm on Friday, January 11 when the man approached and tried to rob her.

She hit him over the head with a small bottle of wine she was carrying before he managed to take anything.

The attacker then pushed her to the floor and ran off in the direction of Solent Drive.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw the incident or the man following the woman before the robbery.

In particular they’d like to speak to a woman who was cycling down Barton Croft at the time and is likely to have seen what happened. She is described as middle aged and a wearing a white mid-length coat.

The victim was left shocked but otherwise uninjured by her ordeal.

The man is described as in his early 20s, around 5ft 7 inches tall, medium build with thick black hair.

He was wearing a short black jacket, dark trousers and shoes rather than trainers.

Officers are hoping members of the public will be able to help identify him.

Anyone with any information about the crime is asked to contact Detective Constable Naomi Mellish at Lyndhurst CID on 101 or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.