Marie Hughes of Netherley Road, Coppull, was targeted in a well organised sting after finishing her shopping at the Tesco superstore on Foxhole Road, Chorley.

She was approched by a man standing with a map at her car who asked her for directions.

Mrs Hughes believes he was part of a gang who had been standing behind her in the shopping queue while she was entering her PIN number.

In the five-minute window between paying for her goods and loading up her car, a pickpocket stole her card and went on a spending spree.

She said: "I was in shock when I got home and I looked in my bag for the receipts to see how much I had spent but I could not find the card.

"I am always very careful when putting my card in my bag especially as I don't actually carry any money with me."

When Mrs Hughes contacted the store she was told the card had not been handed in.

She immediately cancelled her cards but not before £200 was withdrawn from her account and and goods worth £600 were bought from Tesco stores in Leyland and Warrington and at other Aldi and Sainsburys supermarkets.

"It could have been so much worse as I only use my cards at the weekend and if I had not looked for the receipts there could have been more money spent," she said.

"When my statement arrived it said they had spend £63 and £50 on goods at different stores. I like shopping but not even I spend that much in such a short period of time.

"My confidence has been knocked so much that I get my husband to take me out shopping. I would warn people to be on their guard against groups of people behind you as even if you cover the PIN up they still know from the hand position what the numbers could be.

"I know in the run-up to Christmas, people are rushing around and you don't want to keep people waiting in the queue but I have been telling family and friends to stay vigilant.

"I would also advise people if they are shopping to try to get someone with you as it could be the difference between having a good Christmas and not having one at all."

The incident happened on November 22 but Mrs Hughes has spoken out now to warn Christmas shoppers of the scam.

Lancashire's Chief Trading Standards officer Jim Potts said: "We would urge people to contact the card company and their bank straight away. We think that people should err on the side of caution even if they believe it has been misplaced or even if it is down the back of the settee.

"Once the bank are contacted their codes will swing into place to prevent any loss to the individual."

Insp Ian Roberts of Chorley Police said: "A woman from Coppull has reported having her debit card stolen.

"She believes it may have be stolen from Tesco and the card was subsequently used in Warrington and we are continuing our inquiries."