HOME Secretary David Blunkett has described a pensioner's murder for a fish supper as "horrendous."

The minister reacted yesterday to the death of Marie Watson, 77, after she was mugged for a piece of fish and a few personal items near her home in east Newcastle.

He said: "I felt like anyone else would have done on hearing about this horrendous attack.

"I would like to offer my condolences to the family and friends of Mrs Watson."

Mrs Watson, of Heaton, died on Saturday from complications arising from her injuries after she was attacked on April 4.

She suffered severe bruising, a fractured right arm and broken ribs when she was wrestled to the ground by a youth, who made off with her black shopping bag.

Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Derek Storey, who is leading the murder hunt, urged anyone with information, including other criminals, to come forward.

"This was such a repulsive crime and any right-minded person would be only too happy to reveal the identity of whoever did this," he said.

"Even the criminal fraternity must be repulsed by this crime and be setting their minds to exposing the person who did this."

Det Supt Storey said there had been an overwhelming public response to the tragedy, with more than 50 calls and further cards of condolence flooding into the police incident room.

He said: "This has really got to people's hearts."

As part of their investigation, officers were yesterday continuing house-to-house inquiries in the area of Gill's fish and chip shop, at the junction of Chillingham Road and Rothbury Terrace, where partially sighted, partially deaf Mrs Watson was mugged, and her nearby Spencer Street home.

A mobile police station has been set up there to encourage witnesses.

Det Supt Storey said people should report everything they know, no matter how trivial, by calling 0191-214 6555, extension 62801 or 62868.

Meanwhile, detectives in Hartlepool were last night hunting a mugger who robbed an 82-year-old woman of £20, a bag of sweets and a bottle of wine, causing her to have a heart attack.

Widow Joan Wainwright, now recovering at home, also suffered a fractured skull, broken wrist and severe bruising in the attack on Zetland Road, on March 27.