An 82-year-old Navy veteran has died after being robbed in the street.

Jacques Manlow fell to the floor after robbers pushed him against a wall and stole his wallet in Bexhill town centre.

He underwent emergency surgery following the attack on June 17 and appeared to be recovering but died suddenly on Friday.

Detective Inspector Mark Ling, from Bexhill CID, said: "This was a horrific crime and is now being investigated as robbery and manslaughter.

"We are determined to catch whoever is responsible and are urging the public to come forward with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem."

Mr Manlow, of Osbern Close, Bexhill, was walking along Parkhurst Road at about 3.15pm when he was pushed against a wall by the robbers who took his wallet from his jacket pocket.

He fell to the ground as the pair made off in the direction off Albert Road.

One of the men then returned to the pensioner and put his wallet back into his pocket as he lay on the pavement.

An ambulance was called and Mr Manlow was taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings, suffering a fractured hip and a cut to the hand.

Mr Ling said: "A team of 20 officers have been carrying out extensive enquiries since Mr Manlow died and three local men have been arrested.

"One has been released on police bail pending further enquiries following his arrest four days after the incident and other two remain in police custody in Hastings, following arrests in Bexhill on Monday."

Mr Manlow's death has shocked his neighbours who live in an area of relatively low crime although violent incidents in the Rother district, including Bexhill, have risen by 40 per cent in a year.

David Spinks, 64, of Sea Road, Bexhill, said: "It is very unusual.

"We have problems with kids like anywhere else but nothing too serious.

"It's a quiet town. There's not a lot of crime. That's why I like it.

"Perhaps we need more CCTV."

Anne Newey, 49, of Parkhurst Road, said: "This sort of thing hasn't happened for a long time.

"It makes me a bit nervous about going out alone. I can't believe it happened in broad daylight."

Chrissie Evans, 36, of Linden Road, said: "I have elderly parents and it's frightening to think this could happen to them.

"It's the sort of thing you read about in the newspaper but it never seems to happen on your doorstep."

Mr Manlow's family were too upset to discuss the attack.

Anyone with information about the attack should call 0845 60 70 999 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.