A man has been arrested over the mugging last Friday of Durham City pensioner Doris Douglas.

Mrs Douglas, 89, was set on by two men in Lawson Terrace, yards from her home, as she returned from a shopping trip to the city centre.

As the muggers tried to take her shopping bag she fell to the ground and broke her glasses and suffered cuts and bruises.

The pair escaped with her shopping bag, which contained a purse with about £20 in it.

Yesterday lunch time police arrested a 30-year-old man, from the Gilesgate area, in the city centre on suspicion of robbery. He was being questioned last night at the city's police station.

Police have described the response to their appeals for information about the crime as "disappointing".

Acting Detective Inspector Phil Atess said he had strong reason to believe that at least one person witnessed the mugging and urged them to contact him.

He also renewed appeals for a couple, believed to have found the widow's broken glasses and put them on a window sill, to get in touch.

Witnesses are urged to contact Durham CID on 0191-386 4222.

But of they are reluctant to contact police directly they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on (0800) 555 111.