Mugging victim Marjorie Hallett was tickled pink when police armed with flowers knocked on her door.

Officers at Brighton police station in John Street held a collection after a thief stole her pension money and left her with a dislocated finger and bruising.

Detective Sergeant Peter Smith made the presentation of flowers and cash on Friday afternoon.

Marjorie, 82, was overcome.

She said: "I never realised there was so much kindness in the world. I am overwhelmed.

"The police have been wonderful and so have my neighbours.

"They read about it in The Argus and my phone hasn't stopped ringing ever since. I've even had calls from people who were neighbours of mine 25 years ago.

"I want to thank everyone who has sent messages and my daughter Wendy Peerless, who has been so kind to me."

Marjorie was dragged along the pavement as she battled with a mugger.

She screamed at her attacker as he ran off with her pension money, including cash she was saving for new false teeth.

She was walking with her 87-year-old sister Daisy in Somerset Street, off Eastern Road, Brighton, when the thief struck.

He crept up behind her and grabbed the bag strap, yanking her backwards.

She said: "The next thing I knew, I was on the ground and he was running away. I called out 'No, no' and 'Help me'."

A passer-by briefly gave chase but lost the offender.

The robbery happened outside Evelyn Glennie Court, almost opposite the Gala Bingo hall, on January 14, at 4.15pm.

Mr Smith said attacks on the elderly and vulnerable made police and even members of the criminal fraternity angry.

The thief was described as being in his 20s, 5ft 10in with dark, short hair. He wore a beige three-quarter-length jacket and dark-coloured trousers.

Anyone with information should call Mr Smith on 0845 6070999.