An 83-year-old woman who was assaulted and mugged as she walked through a graveyard says she wishes she had fought back.

Jessica, who does not wish to reveal her surname, said she wished she had given the thief a "kick on the ankles" and "a punch on the nose".

She was walking through the grounds of St Michael's Church in Southwick, pulling her four-wheeled shopping trolley behind her, at 2pm on Saturday when the mugger pounced.

He violently shoved her and grabbed her bag, containing a purse, credit cards and mobile phone.

Jessica tried unsuccessfully to snatch her bag back from the fleeing robber.

She said: "When I saw my bag going I tried to snatch it back, I couldn't help it. He went off at such a speed. I was pretty angry I can tell you - it is jolly inconvenient.

"I am all for helping people in need, and he looked pretty unkempt and I don't think he had recently had a bath, but I don't think they should help themselves.

"I am 83 and this is the first time I have had something like this happen to me. I suppose it is the first crime committed against me. I would have loved to kick his ankles and punch his nose but I didn't think it was advisable."

Jessica explained how she needed her mobile phone as she frequently suffered from TIA attacks, which are similar to mini-strokes.

PC Robert Baldwin said: "She was approached from behind by a male who pushed her around a bit, causing her to stumble. "She is quite feisty and wanted to stand up to him but didn't. Luckily she was not injured but she could have had a nasty injury if she fell.

"This was an attack on an elderly vulnerable victim and something we will not tolerate. We need to catch this man."

Police are keen to speak to witnesses.

The mugger was 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall, white and thin, with light brown, lank collar-length hair. He wore a beige jacket and grey trousers and made off towards Southwick town centre.

Anyone with information should call Hove police on 0845 6070999.