Kind-hearted readers of The Argus have stepped forward to help an elderly woman robbed in her own home.

The 75-year-old woman was mugged of her pension before Christmas after walking home from the post office in Whitehawk, Brighton.

The Deans Senior Tea Club has now given the woman a Christmas hamper, while the New Bush pub near to her home has also had a whip-round among customers.

The tea club’s co-founder, Heather Sayers, pictured handing over the hamper to police, said: “We see vulnerable elderly people every day and we know how much this can affect them.

“We just want her to know that not everyone is like that [the robber]; there are people that do care.”

The New Bush pub in Arundel Road, just south of Whitehawk, has collected £200 from generous customers which the police collected for the victim on Tuesday last week.

Co-owner Eddie Riley said: “We have a good sense of community here. It is a terrible thing to have happened and we just wanted to raise her spirits before Christmas.”

Meanwhile, other people have also come forward to The Argus offering to donate money.

Police are appealing for the public’s help in helping catch the robber.

He is described as white, in his 30s or 40s, about 6ft and of large build with broad shoulders.

He was wearing dark clothing, a dark woolly hat and a brown scarf across his face so only his eyes were showing.

Anyone with information about the robbery, which took place between 10am and 10.30am on Wednesday, should email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting serial 1485 of December 17, call 101.

Or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.