A PENSIONER who had her handbag grabbed by a gang of teeny thugs in Andover in broad daylight earlier this month says she has been heartened by the warm-hearted public response to the attack.

The robbery took place near the Jehovah Witness Hall at Enham Arch on Monday 7 January at 3.15pm and involved four youngsters aged 13 to 15, three boys and one girl, who ran off in the direction of Roman Way following the bag snatch.

Since then 70-year-old Mrs Gladys Thurston says she been recovering from the shock of the incident and has had many calls of sympathy from concerned friends and relatives.

"After my appearance on the television I had a call from a friend in Hayling Island and another from Reading and everywhere I go people have been saying how sorry they are about what happened," said Gladys.

"Someone even sent details by e-mail around the world so I even had a telephone call from New Zealand."

A significant amount of money was stolen in the robbery as the handbag contained cash to pay for a holiday for Gladys and her husband Norman.

A pensioner who heard about the robbery made an anonymous donation of £50. The money was delivered to Mrs Thurston by police detective Sgt Paul Taylor.

Gladys and Norman are well known members of the community in Andover having lived in the town since 1962.

Norman is a former secretary of New Street Football Club who worked for Chapel River Press for many years while Gladys used to be a leading light in Andover operatics.

Police are still investigating the case and anyone who has information about the robbery should ring the police appeals line on 01256 405131.