POLICE investigating a pensioner's murder for a fish supper have received "encouraging" information, it emerged yesterday.

Detective Superintendent Derek Storey, who is leading the hunt for 77-year-old Marie Watson's killer, praised the public for its response to appeals for information.

He said: "We have had an excellent response, but would still encourage people to come forward with any information, however small, to help with our inquiry."

The widow died on Saturday from injuries sustained when she was mugged on April 4, as she made her way home to Spencer Street, in Heaton, Newcastle, from Gill's fish and chip shop, in Chillingham Road.

A youth knocked her to the ground and stole her shopping bag containing a piece of fish and personal items.

The great grandmother, who was partially-sighted and had hearing problems, had severe bruising, a fractured right arm and broken ribs.

House-to-house inquiries were yesterday continuing in the area of the mugging, while search teams looked for clues, including Mrs Watson's black shopping bag, which has yet to be found.

Anyone with information is urged to ring 0191-214 6555, extension 62801 or 62868, or call into a 24-hour unit in Spencer Street.