AN ELDERLY woman was attacked and pulled to the pavement in a busy city centre street.

The 89-year-old was walking along London Road in Brighton at about 4.30pm yesterday when a woman, who had been sitting on the floor covered by a blanket, walked up to her.

She knocked the elderly woman to the ground near the Co-op supermarket then walked away.

Nothing was stolen, but the victim was left “very shaken” and with some bruising.

A woman has now been arrested in relation to the attack.

Clare Tasker, 38, unemployed, of no fixed address, has been charged with assault with intent to rob, and is due to appear in custody at Brighton magistrates’ court tomorrow.

Police are also seeking witnesses to the incident.

The victim was dressed in a red coat and carrying a large red shoulder bag.

Detective Sergeant Chris Lane said: “This is a busy street and there were many people around at the time, who are likely to have seen what happened.

“We ask them to contact us as soon as possible either online or by calling 101, quoting serial 862 of 27/03.”