A pensioner was beaten black and blue when she fought to save her handbag outside a Mid Sussex supermarket.

The 76-year-old suffered a black eye, broken teeth, a broken finger and bruising to her face, arm and legs as she struggled with a robber who tried to pull the bag from her grasp.

Shoppers watched in horror as she was thrown to the floor by the man outside Sainsbury's supermarket in East Grinstead.

Security guards gave chase but the man, thought to be aged 19 or 20, escaped with the bag.

A 13-year-old girl who saw the attack stayed with the woman until an ambulance arrived.

The victim was taken to Crawley Hospital and then transferred to East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, where she was treated for her injuries and blurred vision.

She was allowed home after treatment.

Police said the pensioner had just withdrawn money from a cash machine in Brooklands Way, East Grinstead, at 4.15pm on Thursday.

She went to the nearby Sainsbury's where her attacker approached from behind and grabbed her bag from the trolley hook.

A struggle ensued and the pensioner fell to the ground as the bag was jerked from her hands.

The robber was 5ft 9in tall and of proportionate build. He wore a light coloured baseball cap and jacket.

A police spokesman said: "This was a particularly unpleasant attack and we would like to speak to anyone who can help us with our investigation."

PC Shaun Read is appealing for witnesses on 0845 6070999.