Well-wishers shocked by a street robbery have clubbed together to come to the aid of a grandmother who was mugged in Letchworth town centre in broad daylight.

A police appeal was launched after the 66-year-old woman was assaulted as she carried her shopping along Station Way at about 2.30pm on Thursday after a trip to Morrisons supermarket.

The victim was pushed to the ground and her handbag, which contained £210 intended to go towards the cost of flowers for the funeral of her first-born grandchild who had passed away at the age of 27 four days earlier, was snatched by her attacker.

In the wake of the cruel crime, the family set up a funding website to appeal for the public’s help in recovering the money for the flowers.

Within just five days, 21 members of the public came forward to pledge money to the family, and at the time of going to press £235 has been collected.

The granddaughter of the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “I want to say thank you to everyone on social media who has helped with the appeal and everyone who donated towards the fund for my nan.

“She is still very shaken and we are all angry about what has happened.

“I still can’t believe that something like this could happen in broad daylight. All her faith in humanity has been taken away due to these selfish actions.

“The woman who has been the backbone of my entire family is now constantly looking over her shoulder – we had to change the locks of her house on the day of the mugging.

“You shouldn’t be made to feel afraid to leave your home in the evening, let alone in daylight.”

A 27-year-old man from Letchworth and a 40-year-old man from Luton were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of robbery and have been released on bail to reappear at Stevenage police station on Tuesday, January 5.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact Det Con Sarah Walshingham via the police non-emergency number 101.

If you still wish to make a donation to the victim you can by visiting fundraising page https://www.gofundme.com/r9c4y8d5.