ROBBERS ripped two rings off the fingers of a woman as she watched the fireworks at the launch of the Christmas market at Winchester Cathedral on Thursday night.

The 69-year-old victim was targeted around 7pm just as the display started to launch the market and the opening ice rink in Cathedral Close.

The woman was standing among thousands of other spectators to enjoy the annual event near the ice rink and the covered walkway that runs underneath the south transept.

Earlier a jogger was robbed of £100 in cash as he was running in Winnall Moors, near the footbridge onto River Park.

The 21-year-old local was struck from behind between noon and 12.15pm.

The robber was described as a white male, aged 25-35 with short, dark hair. He was wearing a red baseball cap, blue, waist-length puffa jacket and blue tracksuit bottoms with a white stripe down the side.

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.