A Mid Sussex woman who was beaten unconscious by a gang of youths has appealed for help to find her attackers.

The 47-year-old was attacked during a shopping trip in Crawley to collect medicine for a stomach condition.

She was sitting on the wall outside a pub catching her breath when she was assaulted by five males, some believed to be as young as 12.

She was punched in the eye and head and kicked in the stomach before losing consciousness.

The woman, who asked not to be named, yesterday spoke of her ordeal at a media conference.

She said: "I have a stomach complaint and I get short of breath. I was sitting on the wall trying to catch my breath when five males approached me.

"I was punched in the left shoulder and I fell to the ground. Then I was hit in the eye and kicked in the stomach.

"One of the younger males punched me. One of the older men did the kicking."

The woman, who recently moved to Crawley, said she lost consciousness for a few seconds after the attack, which happened on April 24 between 4.10pm and 4.20pm outside the Imperial pub at Broadfield Barton, Broadfield.

When she came round, her jewellery and medicine had been stolen and the gang had disappeared. She managed to get to her feet but said no one helped her.

She returned to her home in the Broadfield area.

"I felt physically sick and I was in a lot of pain. It was horrific and I could not get up immediately. When I did get up I was bruised and very sore. I still have a headache."

Detective Constable Malcolm Mclundie, of Crawley CID, said: "This was a nasty attack by five males upon a lone, vulnerable and sick lady. The offence was committed in a busy shopping area so we are keen to hear from any witnesses."

Officers said the drug would be very dangerous if not taken under the supervision of a doctor.

The victim added: "There have been a few tears. It has made me more worried about walking in the streets - I'm aware of every little noise.

"I'm new to the area and it hasn't given me a very good impression of Crawley but it won't stop me living here. I'm a tough cookie."

The suspects were described as two males of Asian appearance aged between 20 and 25 and three white males aged between 12 and 15.