Meat-wielding pensioner defended herself against a would-be thief by repeatedly bashing her over the head with a packet of bacon.

The 86-year-old woman was approached at a supermarket, reportedly an Iceland store, in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, on Monday afternoon where a woman demanded she hand over a large amount of cash she had withdrawn.

Greater Manchester Police Trafford South division posted on its Facebook page: "Yesterday afternoon an 86-year-old female withdrew a large quantity of money from a cash machine before heading into a supermarket in Altrincham.

"Whilst shopping, the lady was challenged by an unknown female who grabbed her trolley and demanded the money she had withdrawn.

"The 86-year-old lady then defended herself by repeatedly hitting the female offender over the head with a packet of bacon."