Robbery sparked £120 whip-round

Shoppers in Northamptonshire held an impromptu collection for a 90-year-old woman after she had her pursed snatched.

The woman was given £120 by members of the public and bought a new purse by staff at Kettering's Woolworth's store after she was robbed.

Her purse was snatched while she was out Christmas shopping in the High Street, close to Woolworth's.

Members of the public clubbed together to help the woman and raised £120 in a matter of minutes.

Silver lining

Pc Tony White, of Kettering police, said: "The lady was very upset when she found out her purse had been stolen.

"The kindness of shoppers and members of staff at Woolworth's certainly helped to soften the blow.

"The generosity of the shoppers in particular was heart-warming and it is nice to report that this particular cloud had a silver lining."

The woman's purse was snatched on Friday, but details of the public's generosity were only released on Tuesday.