A 77-YEAR-old widow was violently attacked by a "despicable" mugger who stole just £20.

Brave Dorothy Hope, from Blackburn, spoke out about the attack from her hospital bed in a bid to help catch the thug.

She was left with a broken shoulder and collarbone as well as cuts to her face and body after the attack in Adelaide Terrace, off Dukes Brow, Blackburn.

Dorothy, who suffers from arthritis, was walking home to have a regular massage to ease the condition when the robber pounced.

Police said the attacker forced the widow to the ground before making off with her bag containing a purse and £20 in cash.

The pensioner woke up lying on the ground minutes later and began shouting for help.

Dorothy, who will be in hospital for around two weeks, cannot remember the attack but has said she will never go out alone at night again.

Making an appeal for anyone with information about the attacker to contact the police, Dorothy, who has a daughter, said: "It makes you wonder what the world is coming to.

"I'm glad I haven't got any grandchildren because I wouldn't want them to be brought up in a world like this.

"All I remember is waking up on the floor in terrible pain and shouting for help.

"He must have hit me to knock me to the floor like that.

"I don't even feel safe going out anymore. I'm going to have to get a taxi at night now instead of walking.

"I'm still in shock and am annoyed at what's happened.

"The person who did this to me must have no conscience.

"It must be somebody horrible and somebody who doesn't care about anybody.

"I am a strong woman but when somebody does something like this that you start feeling your age.

"My thoughts about those who did this will grow stronger every day as the more I struggle, the worse I will feel about what has happened.

"I think they probably targeted me because they saw me walking on my own and thought I was a sitting duck.

"I want the people responsible to be caught so they can't do this to anybody else."

Detective Constable John Mather, of Blackburn CID, branded the attacker "despicable, callous and violent" for targeting the "vulnerable" pensioner.

He said: "The victim stopped in Adelaide Terrace to get something out of her pocket when she was violently attacked and knocked to the floor.

"During the attack she passed out and when she came round on the floor she started shouting help, help."

DC Mather appealed for a good samaritan who came to Dorothy's aid to come forward.

He said: "She went to get her husband but in the mean time the lady's friend arrived so the Asian lady and her husband went.

"We would like to speak to that lady.

"She may or may not be a potential witness but we need to speak to her. I would also urge any other witnesses to come forward."

Anyone with information about the attack which happened at 5.20pm on Thursday should contact Blackburn Police on 01254 51212, CID on 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.