AN ELDERLY woman who was pushed to the ground and had her handbag snatched has issued a message to the thief: "Come around here and I will give you a good hiding."

The partially-sighted 82-year-old, who doesn't want to be named, was on her way to catch a bus in Capstone Road, Chatham, to go to a regular dance class at the Corn Exchange in Rochester.

On her way to the bus stop, a young thug pushed her to the ground, snatched her handbag and made off with £15, a bus pass and passport.

The attack took place on Thursday, January 15 between 12.20pm and 12.30pm in Hopewell Drive, Chatham. The woman said: "I felt someone behind me and I thought: 'Why don't they pass?'

"So I cut through Hopewell Drive. I tied my bag around my hand but he grabbed the handles of my bag. He dragged me down until I let go. I was absolutely petrified. I didn't know what to do or what to think. I am 82 and partially-sighted so whoever did this must be a coward."

Although the attack happened so quickly, she said the attacker wore a hat and a hood over his head.

After he grabbed her handbag the thief ran off into Hopewell Drive and was seen by several witnesses running towards Luton Recreation Ground.

"There wasn't a soul about and when I tried to get myself up I saw a house. I knocked on a door and a man took me in," she said.

The good Samaritan made the woman a cup of coffee and called the police and an ambulance. She was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital and had her hand x-rayed and was given a tetanus injection.

Although she is still shaken by the attack, the woman is now looking forward to putting the events behind her and getting on with her life.

She said: "I have gone out but I don't want to go down that way; I go up another way."

Witnesses said the thief was a white boy aged about 15. He was wearing a blue baseball cap, white jeans and trainers.

Anyone with any information should call Medway Police on 01634 884136.