Ramraiders have left a pensioner on the verge of a nervous breakdown after they smashed into the front of her shop causing thousands of pounds of damage.

Joan Briggs said she was frightened all the time and could no longer sleep properly after the raid, which was the latest in a series of robberies at her business.

Mrs Briggs said there had been 13 attempted robberies or actual raids on her fishing tackle shop in the last eight years.

Now 71, the shopkeeper is running the business single-handed while her husband Robert, 70, has a hip replacement operation.

But she said she didn't know how much longer she could go on running the shop, Ken Dunman Fishing Tackle at Marine Place, Worthing.

Mrs Briggs' son Mark Stringer said he was furious at police reaction to Saturday's attempted ramraid.

He said it was the second time the shop had been targeted on the same night. Thieves tried to break in at 9.15pm on Saturday before the shopfront was rammed in by a car or van at about 4am on Sunday.

Mr Stringer said: "I have asked for CCTV cameras, but I have been told it will be too expensive.

"I have asked why the police didn't get there sooner on Saturday and why they didn't try to contact my mother afterwards, but I haven't had a proper answer.

"My parents are in their seventies. They are just trying to run a business in safety. Why can't anyone help them?"

Mrs Briggs said she had spent hundreds of pounds installing security equipment, including sensors, alarms and a reinforced window.

She said this had recently prevented thieves from making off with stock.

But, she said: "Every time it happens, it puts the insurance premium up, it costs money to repair things and we lose our no claims bonus."

Mrs Briggs, of Reigate Road, Worthing, said: "This has happened so many times now, but the latest attempt was the worst.

"The front of my shop is such a terrible mess.

"I am very angry. People these days don't feel safe to go out, and I understand why.

"Where are the police when you need them?

"I am a nervous wreck. I feel as if I am on the edge of having a breakdown."

Police spokesman Nick Sandford declined to comment.