The 62-year-old, who does not want to be named, was attacked outside the town park in Verdun Road at 11.30am on Tuesday.

Two teenagers, aged 15 or 16, wearing hoodies made a grab for her handbag.

The woman said: “I was so shocked, but I wasn’t going to let them get away with my bag. I just clung on to it as hard as I could. One of the youths shouted ‘hand it over or I’m going to kill you’ but I didn’t.

“They were pulling at the bag, but eventually one of them said ‘just leave it’ and they ran off. I suppose my adrenaline just kicked in.

“I managed to walk home, but I tried to walk through my door without opening it I was on auto-pilot. My husband rang the police and they were at my house within minutes and the helicopter was also up almost immediately.

“The police called paramedics to check me over and make sure I was all right as I had just come out of hospital having had a heart attack.

“The officers were wonderful, so kind. They explained everything to me and told me what they were doing.

“They drove me around the area to see if I could spot the two people involved, but unfortunately we didn’t see them.

“I really can’t fault the police, from the person who answered the initial call, to the officers who came out and then afterwards. The police have been fantastic. They could not have done any more to help me.”

A police spokesman praised the woman’s bravery in fighting off her attackers.

If you have information on this attack ring Dc Rachel Pearce on 0345-4564564, or Crimestoppers on 0800-555 111.