A mother with a young baby fought off a man who grabbed her bag.

The 25-year-old victim had taken her 11-month-old son for an appointment at the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Dyke Road, Brighton.

She took a taxi to a friend's house in Brunswick Road, Hove, and as she knocked on the door a man asked her for drugs.

She zipped up her bag as a precaution but he yanked it from her.

The woman grabbed the man and a struggle ensued.

The waiting taxi driver, keeping an eye on the woman's baby in the car, got out and held the man until police arrived.

Witnesses to the incident at 11.45pm yesterday should call police on 0845 6070999.

A 40-year-old man was helping police with their inquiries.