MUGGERS repeatedly smashed a woman's face into the pavement as she held on to her handbag.

The 26-year-old from the Catford area was attacked in Fordel Road, off Canadian Avenue, at 7.50pm.

She was walking along the road when two men tried to grab her bag, but she held onto it and a struggle began.

Her attackers repeatedly punched her in the face and knocked her to the ground but she continued to hold on.

One of the men then grabbed a handful of her hair and hit her face against the pavement until she let go of the bag.

She received hospital treatment for her injuries. Her face has been left bruised and swollen, but police believe she was lucky to have received only superficial injuries.

Both attackers were black. One was 20, of slim build, with short black hair and wearing dark-coloured clothing.

His accomplice was 21, of slim build, with high-defined cheekbones, wearing a charcoal grey sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms with white stripes down the legs.

Anyone with information about the April 22 incident should call Lewisham police

robbery squad on 020 8690 1212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

April 29, 2003 10:30