A WIDOW was mugged as she walked home from shopping.

Great grandmother Doris Douglas was set on by two thugs at the junction of Hawthorn Terrace and Lawson Terrace, Durham City, at 2.40pm on Friday.

The 89-year-old fell to the ground and her glasses were broken, but she managed to hit one of her attackers with her walking stick before they ran off with her shopping bag.

Mrs Douglas suffered a grazed knee and knuckles, but declined hospital treatment.

Her bag held her purse, which contained £20, and items of shopping, including a carton of milk.

She said: "They need to be taught a lesson and told this sort of thing just cannot happen. How can anyone target a frail old lady and get away with just her shopping.''

Detective Sergeant Phil Atess said: "As you would expect, the victim was badly shaken by the incident but, thankfully, she does not seem to have suffered any lasting physical ill effects."

Police are appealing for witnesses and want to hear from a couple who placed the injured woman's broken glasses on a nearby window sill.

One of the attackers was said to have short dark hair, and wore a navy blue top and grey trousers. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-386 4222, or Crimestoppers (0800) 555111.

* A 67-year-old widow was mugged on her doorstep on the Eden Vale Estate, Horden, also County Durham, at 10pm on Friday after a night's bingo.

The mugger, aged 15 or 16, stole her bag, containing £40 cash and a building society cash book. The woman injured her left wrist and arm, and aggravated a hip condition.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-586 2621 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.