AN epilepsy sufferer spoke of his disgust at the crook who stole his sports bag, containing £300 - while he was having a fit.

The 55-year-old man, who asked not to be named, was unwell during a computer lesson at Leigh Community Centre, in Elm Road.

He staggered home to Lymington Avenue, Leigh, and managed to unlock his front door before collapsing on the doorstep in an epileptic seizure.

"The next thing I know, my wife and my daughter-in-law were asking if I was OK," he said. "It was only later, when I wanted to read something, I asked my wife to fetch my glasses out of my bag and she asked where it was.

"I wouldn't have dropped the bag in the street, because I got my keys out of the bag as I turned into the road.

"I realised what had happened. Someone had taken the bag while I was having a seizure. I'm very angry - and that's putting it mildly."

The black Head rucksack had £300 in an envelope, cash the victim had withdrawn that morning to lend his son for a motorbike repair.

It also contained reading glasses, worth £200, and a newspaper.

The victim, who has had problems since suffering a stroke three years ago, said: "Before this happened, I didn't normally go very far without my wife, who is my carer. Now I'm a bit more apprehensive and, if I'm not going far, I won't take anything with me I don't need."

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw the victim, who is black, walking home between 11.45am and noon on Wednesday, January 9, to contact them.

Because he was unwell, he may have been walking strangely and may have even appeared to be drunk.

PC Steve Fisk, of Leigh police station, said: "We hope members of the public can help us establish exactly what happened leading up to the point his bag went missing."

Anyone with information can call PC Fisk on 01702 431212.