Anonymous Flowers Comfort Pensioner

Forest Gate pensioner Doris Shadrake was overcome with joy by flowers from well-wishers moved by her plight after reports of her mugging appeared in the local press.

Doris, 83, of Marlborough Road, was thrown to the ground in a tussle with a thug. He snatched her bag after she and 87-year-old husband George collected their pension from a sub-post-office in nearby Carlton Terrace on April 29. The thief followed them from their car, into the office and out again before grabbing the bag containing credit cards and a small amount of cash.

George bravely chased the crook – throwing his stick at him before falling. But the mugger missed the pension, which was in George's pocket. Badly-bruised Doris's injuries have now healed. And the couple have been inundated with flowers from caring neighbours and friends.

"A neighbour came with a big bunch the other day. I've had about five so far, all from different people," Doris said. "The flowers are beautiful. I would love to thank the person who gave them."