Pensioner Edith Skalski was astounded when a businessman sent her £1,000 to replace her stolen holiday savings.

The 96-year-old widow had saved for a year to go on holiday with her son, but her plans were dashed when the money was stolen by a conman claiming to be a double glazing salesman.

Yesterday she broke down in tears when Robert Beveridge handed over a cheque after reading her story in The Argus.

She said: "I just can't believe that anyone could be so kind. It won't sink in - I can't believe it. A thousand thanks to this gentleman, not only for the money but also for the kind thoughts.

"I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart."

Mrs Skalski, partially deaf and registered blind in one eye, said her family was going to write to Mr Beveridge to thank him.

Mr Beveridge, managing director of Sussex Recruitment Services in Church Road, Hove, was so upset after reading The Argus story he contacted us to say he would replace the money stolen from her.

He said: "I read what happened to her and thought it must have taken someone of that age a long time to save that money and she'd been robbed of it.

"She wouldn't have been able to take her holiday because it was taken in one scoop by a thief. It was a real shame."

Mr Beveridge also wrote to the pensioner to say how sorry he was that her money had been stolen.

The thief struck when Mrs Skalski was in the sitting room of her home.

She let a man into her sheltered flat in Norwich Road, Furnace Green, Crawley, on Saturday, August 25.

He told her he was measuring up for double glazing.

When he left and she prepared to go shopping with her son, she realised the money she had saved for a week's holiday in Derbyshire with her son, Derek De-Swarte, and daughter-in-law was missing.

Mrs Skalski, who has four children, eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, said: "I was stunned, I couldn't believe it.

"I didn't want to tell anyone because I felt so stupid. If I had not expected the television repair man I probably wouldn't have let him in.

"Now if I hear a little noise I am a bundle of nerves. I would like to use my white stick on him.

"If I ever came into contact with him I would chop his hands off so that he wouldn't do it again."

Two men have been arrested in connection with the theft and have been released on police bail while further inquiries are made.