Mugging victim Yvonne Tomsett says she bears no ill feelings towards the thug who knocked her over and grabbed her handbag while she was walking home from church.

But the pensioner also wants him to know that what he did will not break her spirit.

"I was very frightened and shaken up by what happened, but I'm not going to let this defeat me," said the 67-year-old. "I will still go out to church whenever I want.

"As a Christian I do not condemn him for what he did, but I hope he will be caught and see the error of his ways."

Among the items stolen was money from the church to buy food for homeless people.

Before the robbery Mrs Tomsett had been busy making banners at Gorse Hill Baptist Church.

When she arrived home a lack of parking spaces meant she had to park her car a street away from her house in Haydon Street and walk the rest of the way.

But shortly after leaving her car she heard someone running towards her.

"The next thing I knew someone had grabbed my handbag. I held onto it but I was spun round and flung on to the ground," she said.

Mrs Tomsett, who has had both of her hips replaced, lay dazed for some time until a passing driver stopped to help and took her home.

At the time she was very shaken and said she still feels frightened when she goes outdoors.

But she is determined not to let the mugging knock her confidence and is looking forward to going to church on Sunday.

The mugger escaped with Mrs Tomsett's credit cards and chequebook, her inhaler and around £33 of the church's money, which Mrs Tomsett was going to use to buy food for the homeless.

The attack happened on Wednesday at around 10pm and the mugger is described as white, about 5ft 10in tall, and slim. He was wearing dark clothing and a hat.

Detective Constable Nick Flowers of Swindon Police said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who might have seen the attack.

"At that time there would have been quite a few people in the Haydon Street area and it is possible they would have noticed someone running along with a distinctive white and gold handbag."

n Anyone with information should contact DC Nick Flowers on Swindon 528111 ext 522.