KINDHEARTED police officers have helped a pensioner to have a happy Christmas after her purse, containing more than £1,000, was stolen.

Betty Bull was devastated when her purse was taken from her handbag during a shopping trip to Darlington town centre with her sister earlier this month.

The 78-year-old had spent the past year meticulously saving more than £1,300 and planned to use the money to buy Christmas presents for her nine grandchildren.

After hearing about her plight, the officers investigating the case, PC Jackie Mallows and PC Julie Fox, of Darlington police, decided to do something to help.

As well as having a whip-round, they told a number of shops about the incident who were touched by the story and donated everything from shopping vouchers to a Christmas hamper.

Ms Bull, who has lived in Darlington all her life, said: “I really didn’t expect this at all. It has been so nice of everybody.

"I want to thank everybody – all the shops, the police, as they have been really good as well to me, and my family who have really helped me out.

“When it happened, I felt sick. My sister, Pauline, bought me a new bag and had to pay my bus fare home for me."

The gifts included a Christmas hamper from Marks and Spencer, a £50 BHS voucher, items from Bliss Gifts, in Duke Street, earrings from Warren James, toiletries from The Body Shop and Fizzylicious, chocolates from Thorntons, slippers from Shoe Zone, food from Tesco, and shopping vouchers from Boyes.

Darlington Neighbourhood Watch Association also donated a number of crime prevention items, including purse bells.

The gifts were presented to a delighted Ms Bull at Gladstone Street police office, where PC Fox said: “She is 78 and has been saving this money all year, so we wanted to do something to help her over the Christmas period.

“It was a bit of a surprise for her to help her out and the retailers were more than happy to help.

“Marks and Spencer were brilliant and even had a collection with the staff.”

The incident happened at around 11.30am on Saturday, November 15 and Mrs Bull was in the Covered Market when she realised her purse had gone missing.

Anyone with any information can call police on 101.