Police have launched a fresh appeal into the robbery and murder of an elderly woman six years ago.

A reward of £20,000 is still on offer for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the death of 81-year-old Molly Morgan.

Mrs Morgan was walking from her home in Streatfield Road, Harrow, to Kenton library when she was attacked at around 7.40pm on Thursday, January 15, 2009.

Her handbag was grabbed and she fell to the ground, hitting her head and the left side of her body.

She suffered multiple fractures to her face and a broken arm and died of her injuries at Northwick Park Hospital the following day.

Her brown leather-effect shoulder bag, which was stolen in the attack, contained only an empty Sainsbury's carrier bag, an electrical extension lead and a brown and gold Primark umbrella.

The extension lead and handbag were seen in Northwick Avenue, Kenton, near the junction with Rushout Avenue, at 9pm on the night of the murder.

The extension lead was found the following day, but the brown handbag has never been traced.

Witnesses saw two men running along Streatfield Road towards Kenton Library immediately after the attack on Mrs Morgan, and police would also like to trace a man wearing grey jogging bottoms who was seen walking ahead of Mrs Morgan in Streatfield Road.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Partridge, of the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "It is now six years since Mrs Morgan was murdered and despite extensive enquiries we have never been able to bring her killers to justice.

"She was an active and highly respected member of her local community and she was killed for essentially an empty handbag.

"A substantial reward is still available for information that brings the perpetrators to court and we hope that with the passage of time someone who did not feel able to come forward before may now have the confidence to approach police."

Mrs Morgan had lived in the area for more than 50 years and was active in the community as a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, and had an allotment locally.

She also sat on the London committee of the Worker Education Association, a group supporting adult education. She originally trained as an architect but gave up work to become a full-time mother to her daughter.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8358 0300 or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.