A plucky pensioner was recovering in hospital today - and may require surgery - after being attacked by a woman mugger in daylight.

Margaret Watson, 77, was violently kicked in the shin in Cottingley after refusing to hand over her bag containing £35 in cash.

The grandmother was yards away from her Manor Road home, when she noticed the woman approaching her.

Speaking from her hospital bed, she said: "I saw this person coming up to me, but never thought anything about it. As soon as she got near me, she grabbed at my bag.

She said, 'Give me your bag and you won't get hurt', but I wouldn't part with it.

"It was like a tug of war - she was pulling and I was pulling. I stuck to it because it had my purse in with £35.

"Then she kicked me. I don't know what she had on her foot, but it's a right mess. I shouted for help and she ran off.

"I never thought it would happen to me - not in daylight and not by a girl. You would expect it more off a boy."

The widow, who has lived in Cottingley for 30 years, staggered home to find blood gushing from her shin.

The severe leg wound has been bandaged up at Bradford Royal Infirmary, but doctors have warned she may face surgery.

Mrs Watson, who used to work for Damart in Bingley, said she had been returning from shops on The Parade.

"I go up there to the post office on Thursdays to collect my pension, but I won't be doing that now," she said.

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Gasson, of Keighley police, said Mrs Watson was very distressed by the incident.

"This is a despicable and cowardly offence on a vulnerable and elderly woman," he said.

"I urge people who have information about it or who can help in any way to come forward."

The attacker was described as 19 or 20 with a Yorkshire accent.

She was slim, about 5ft 4ins and was wearing a dark coat, trousers and a black baseball cap pulled down over her face.

Anyone with information about the incident at 10.30am on Tuesday can call Keighley police on (01535) 617083.