A PLUCKY pensioner suffered a petrifying ordeal trying to fight off a yob who punched her in the face while trying to steal her handbag.

The 60-year-old married woman from Eldene screamed for help during the attack, and managed to bite her attacker's arm and thump him with a bag of crockery she was carrying.

She is now too scared to leave her own home.

The attack happened on the cycle path between Eldene Drive and the overbridge that runs into Christie Close in Liden.

The woman was taking the crockery to a friend's house when she was approached by a man, who tried to grab her handbag.

WPC Kate Platton said: "She did not let go of the handbag. During the attack she was punched twice to her face and pushed by her neck against a garden fence.

"She was able to strike the male to the face with the bag of crockery and also bit him on the left lower forearm.

"Throughout the incident she screamed for help.

"She is now very shook up, scared and intimidated. She is absolutely petrified and too afraid to leave her own home."

The man is described as being approximately 5 foot 7 inches tall, with scruffy ginger hair and dirty appearance. He was wearing a black hooded top and a yellow and brown scarf.

The woman is the latest Swindonian to refuse to give in to the town's bullies.

In November Grange Drive newsagent Tina Harfield hit a would-be robber with an axe handle after he threatened her with a knife.

Tina, 55, and her husband Robert, 62, were determined not to let the raider make off with their hard-earned takings.

So while Robert wrestled with the man Tina hit him with the axe handle.

Concerning the latest robbery, Swindon police are appealing for witnesses, or anyone with any information about this offence, to call them on 01793 528111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

David Andrew