A man has been arrested in connection with the mugging of terminally ill Eddie Walters.

The suspect, in his late 20s, was released on bail last night pending further inquiries.

Eddie was knocked to the ground and robbed outside his local Co-op in St George's Road, Brighton, on Wednesday, two weeks before what could be his last Christmas.

He suffers from leukaemia and has been given six months to live.

Cheques, pledges and Christmas treats are continuing to flood in for Eddie since The Argus reported the robbery.

Brighton police station has also been swamped.

Detective Inspector Dave Miller, in charge of the case, said: "We've been bowled over. People have been phoning up and handing in cheques. It's fantastic."

Elsa Gillio, who runs The Argus Appeal, said: "The public has been wonderful - we will ensure Eddie gets every penny."

Funds are well in excess of the £200 Eddie lost in the robbery. Well-wishers said they did not mind.

One woman said: "It doesn't matter if he gets more than he lost.

"I wanted to give something as a way of saying how sorry I was for what happened to him and to make sure he gets a little extra comfort this Christmas."

Eddie's friend Patricia Hassell, who is caring for him, said: "We have both been overwhelmed.

"This is going to be Eddie's best Christmas for years."

Eddie, 71, is spending Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve with Pat but she has a family commitment on Christmas Day.

Eddie was planning to stay in his one-room bedsit in Kemp Town.

Pat said: "Only one ring on his little oven works but he is able to cook a meal. He won't bother making anything special."

But now Eddie will not have to struggle making his Christmas dinner.

The Argus Appeal presented him with a Christmas food hamper from Asda and a second arrived yesterday, courtesy of staff at the RSPCA at Patcham.

Jenny Wells, of the RSPCA, said: "We all clubbed together. We just had to do something."

One woman has invited Eddie to spend Christmas Day with her family. She said: "It is the least I can do. What happened to Eddie was despicable."

Social Security gave him a crisis loan of just £29 and it intends to recover the money via £8 instalments from his pension.

Eddie said he wanted to "give up and let go" until he learnt of the public's response.

Fighting backs tears, he said: "I feel so humble. People have shown such kindness. I want to thank everyone so much."

Eddie, who lost his wife of 40 years in 1998, sang for British forces with Dame Vera Lynn during the war before taking up managerial posts at top seafront hotels in Brighton.

Many old friends have been in touch since The Argus published his story.

One said: "Eddie wouldn't hurt a fly. It's really heart-warming to see how people have reacted."

John Hyde, who runs the Mariposa gift shop in The Lanes, Brighton, gave cash. He said "I was choked - it's bloody disgusting what happened to Eddie. Words fail me."

Money has been donated by pensioners, children and families across Sussex and from Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone.

One note was signed "Neil, Michelle and Arthur (the dog)." Their donation included £30 "to pay back Social Security".

Donations to The Argus Appeal can be sent to Elsa Gillio at The Argus, Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, Brighton, BN1 8AR.