DETECTIVES today appealed for the public's help in catching vicious street robbers who targeted Southampton widow Caroline Maddick.

Police urged people to look out for the 44-year-old's rucksack and purse, both of which were stolen when she was attacked just yards from her Millbrook home.

Caroline, pictured, whose husband Eddie was murdered on a Southampton footpath 16 months ago, was hit over the head during the attack in Bampton Close.

One of her attackers pinned her arm back and wrenched her black rucksack containing Christmas gifts and savings.

The mother-of-two, a special needs assistant at a Southampton school, was left shaken and bruised after the attack, which happened around 4.15pm on Sunday November 10.

Disabled Eddie, 45, was found battered to death on a Millbrook footpath in July 2001. No one has been convicted of his murder.

Today detectives renewed details of the robbers and appealed for residents.

Det Sgt Phil Bateman, of the Southampton crime team, said: "This was a very nasty incident."

The wallet has the initials CMM embossed in gold on the front. The rucksack is black leather-look.

One of Caroline's attackers was about 5ft 10in, slim, aged 18 to 22, wearing dark trousers and a beige or grey hooded top, while the second was 5ft 7in to 5ft 9in, in his late teens and wearing dark clothing.

Call Crimestoppers free: 0800 555 111 .