A blind man aged 78, robbed of his pension money while shopping, says he is now frightened to leave his home.

For the past seven years retired engineer Ken Funnell has made regular trips to the Open Market off London Road, Brighton.

He got to know the market and would shop there for fruit, vegetables and eggs while his wife went to other shops for provisions.

Traders would help him make selections and take the right money from his wallet.

Mr Funnell was in the public toilets at the market when a man bumped into him.

While Mr Funnell was distracted and jostled, an accomplice stole his wallet from his coat pocket. Inside was £130 in pension money.

He was about to buy eggs later when he discovered his wallet had gone. Stallholders called the police.

A stallholder found the empty wallet above a cistern in the toilets.

Mr Funnell said: "It was very scary. It is a great shame because I loved going to the market. I like the traders and it was one of the places I felt at home."

The theft happened on Wednesday, March 17.

Both suspects are white. One is 6ft with dirty, shoulder-length hair. He wore combat boots, black jeans, a black coat and carried a black backpack.

Mr Funnell has slight peripheral vision enabling him to give the description.

Anyone with information should ring 0845 6070999.