A 90-year-old woman left battered and bruised in a robbery today said she had been “overwhelmed” by support received from around the country.

Nancy Reeve from West Bromwich has been sent flowers, money and gifts from neighbours and strangers since her ordeal which left her requiring stitches to her face.

She was knocked to the ground while on the way to lay flowers at her late husband’s grave.

Her handbag, containing her purse, £50 and her keys, was taken in the daylight robbery last Saturday morning.

A local taxi firm has now offered her a free ride whenever she wants to visit West Bromwich Crematorium where William Reeve was laid to rest.

Mrs Reeve is continuing her recovery at home where she is being looked after by daughter Beryl Cox and has been flooded with messages of goodwill since the attack.

Flowers arrived from Dr Karen Stevens, a medical herbalist in Lancashire who read about the ordeal on the Express & Star website.

Other well-wishers others have also sent bouquets, and one reimbursed the stolen £50.

Mrs Reeve said: “The neighbours have all rallied round.

“I’m overwhelmed because it is nice to know there are people out there that care. It really is.”