A MAN has been arrested in connection with an attempted theft from a 73-year-old woman who beat off her attacker with a brolly.

Chester-le-Street police confirmed last night a 23-year-old man had been arrested over Sunday's incident in the town.

As reported in The Northern Echo yesterday, Norah McGuckin was praised by police for her bravery after she stood her ground when a young thief allegedly tried to grab her purse. He fled empty-handed.

Mrs McGuckin, who was on her way home from church when she was confronted, hit the man over the head with her open umbrella, and said she brandished her umbrella at him "like a demented soul" before he jumped into a red Vauxhall Nova and sped off.

The suspect was also questioned over a similar incident in West Terrace, Durham, 20 minutes later, when a youth reached out of a car's passenger window and grabbed a handbag off a pensioner.

The suspect has been released on bail pending further inquiries. Anyone with information is asked to contact 0845 60 60 365