A PLUCKY pensioner beat off a mugger with her umbrella when he tried to snatch her handbag in an underpass in Canterbury. The 60-year-old woman was attacked in the St George's Place subway as she walked towards the city centre.

Afterwards the woman told police she heard footsteps behind her and was then punched in the back. A man then tried to grab her carrier bag containing groceries and stepped in front of her to snatch her handbag.

But the brave pensioner hit back at the robber with her umbrella, hitting him round the head. In the struggle she was hit on the back of the head causing her to fall to her knees. But she hit the mugger in the groin with her umbrella and he walked off with her groceries, nursing his injuries.

The man is described as being aged between 30 and 35, about 5ft 10ins with short, reddish brown hair. He was wearing a faded denim jacket and blue trousers.

Det Sgt Dave Barnett said: "This bully picked on the wrong woman, as he found out to his cost. If it had not been for her bravery and strength of character, he would have got away with a lot more than her groceries."

Anyone who was in the subway area between 2.30pm and 3pm on Saturday who thinks they know the robber should call detectives on 01227 817154 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.