A PLUCKY pensioner has returned home from hospital two weeks after she was violently attacked - and has been overwhelmed with messages of support.

Brave 77-year-old Dorothy Hope is now recovering from a broken collarbone and shoulder at her home in Hope Terrace, off Dukes Brow, Blackburn.

Dorothy, who suffers arthritis, was walking home to have a massage to ease the condition when the robber pounced, knocking her to the ground and making off with her handbag, containing £20.

She woke up on the ground minutes later and shouted for help.

She said: "I'm glad to be home now although I'm feeling slightly worse for wear. I had cancer in 1994 and it took me two years to get back to feeling my normal self. I really hope it doesn't take me that long to recover from this.

"I have received lots of cards from people, some I haven't seen in years after they read the article in the Telegraph."

Kindhearted staff at Blackburn College, where Dorothy studied for three years learning German, have sent her a cheque for £250.

College principal Ian Clinton said: "Staff at the college were appalled by what happened to Mrs Hope. It was mentioned that she studied at the college so we raised some money to send to her to show that people do care."

Dorothy added: "It's is a lovely gesture. I can't believe, especially after all that has happened, that people would be so kind. I would like to thank all the staff."

Dorothy, who has been receiving treatment at Royal Blackburn Hospital, added: "My only hope is that this man is caught. I don't want this to happen to anybody else."

Police said they have recovered a plastic carrier bag also stolen from Dorothy during the attack, which has been sent for forensic examination.

Det Con John Mather, of Blackburn CID, said: "I would urge residents to check their yards and bins for anything that may have been discarded."

He again appealed for a good Samaritan who went to Dorothy's aid to come forward.

He added: "I would like the Asian lady who went to Dorothy's aid to contact us.

"She went to get her husband but in the meantime Dorothy's friend arrived, so the couple went. We need to speak to her."

Anyone with information about the attack, at 5.20pm on November 16, should contact police on 01254 51212, CID on 353569 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.