An 80-year-old woman dragged a thief off his bike as he tried to snatch her handbag.

The stunned mugger, at least 50-years her junior, ran from the scene, leaving his bike behind.

Police were today singing the woman's praises.

PC John Marriott said: "She grazed her knees as she was pulled to the ground but she declined hospital treatment and help from Victim Support.

"She was very angry and she amazed me when she said, 'I hope you catch him because next time he might pick on someone old and frail'. She is 80!"

The woman, who declined to be named, said: "I may be only 4ft 8in tall but I came from a pretty tough area in London. The next poor soul might not be quite so tough."

She said she hoped the thief would be brought to justice and would receive a punishment that would "teach him a lesson."

The pensioner had just picked up new glasses from an optician when the confrontation took place.

Her 82-year-old husband was opening their car door for her in Wallace Avenue, Worthing.

The thief approached on his bike and grabbed her handbag, causing her to spin round and fall to her knees. But he came off his bike when she refused to let go of the bag.

The woman's husband stood on the bike before the thief tugged the bag free and fled. But he later dropped the bag when a member of the public grappled with him.

Police forensic experts were examining the black Halfords Commodore bike.

The thief was in his early to mid-20s, about 5ft 11in tall, thin-faced with short brown hair. He wore a black padded jacket.