A PENSIONER who was attacked and robbed in a York street says she is too frightened to go out alone following the ordeal.

Irene Dickinson, 75, was punched in the back and knocked to the ground by a "ride-by" mugger as she walked home along Water Lane, Clifton, after a trip to the shops.

As she lay stunned, the bike-riding youth who attacked her snatched her black leather handbag, which contained £60 in pension money, her new spectacles, credit cards and a bank book.

She said: "I just felt this big bang in my back. It was such a shock. I thought it could have been a knife at first. When I went down he just scooped up my bag and pedalled off.

"I was screaming at him and when he came back towards me, I thought he might have changed his mind, but he just went past me and made off.

"Afterwards I had pains in my chest and I thought I could have been having a heart attack. I have still got an awful pain in my back where he hit me."

Nearby residents and passers-by went to Mrs Dickinson's aid.

Two of them jumped in a car and went after the robber while another two pursued him on foot. But despite their efforts, the youth got away.

One resident, former councillor Les Marsh, 75, took Mrs Dickinson into his home to help her calm down.

He said: "I think it is absolutely disgusting that something like this should happen. It makes me spit."

Mrs Dickinson said: "I have lived round here all my life and I have always felt safe walking around, but this has made me frightened to go out on my own again."

Following the attack, which happened at about 10.15am yesterday, she was being comforted at home by her sister, Mary Lock, who lives next door to her, and Mrs Lock's daughter, Debbie Cocker.

Mrs Dickinson was seen by her doctor who told her it was likely she had injured a muscle in her back and that it could take weeks to heal.

The robber, who was riding a BMX-type bicycle, was described as being white and aged about 14 to 15, though Mrs Dickinson believes he may have been slightly older. He was wearing a cream-coloured top, possibly a fleece, and had his hood pulled up over his head.

Sgt Colin Ventress, of York police, said: "While this was a shocking incident in broad daylight, it is reassuring that there were some public-spirited people around who went to her aid. We would appeal for anyone with information which could help us to catch this robber to come forward."

The police have so far taken statements from a number of witnesses. Anyone else with information should contact the police in York on 01904 631321.

Updated: 11:21 Friday, May 03, 2002