A 67-YEAR-OLD woman chased off a robber when she put up a spirited defence and managed to activate her personal attack alarm.

A police spokesman said the woman was grabbed from behind by a man who put his hand over her mouth, outside shops in the Nook area of South Shields, at 3.45pm on Thursday.

He threatened her and demanded money, but the woman was able to activate her personal attack alarm and struggled with the man who fled the scene empty-handed.

The woman, who did not wish to be identified, was shaken but otherwise unhurt after the incident.

Her attacker is described as tall and slim with short dark hair, and was wearing a dark top and trousers. He spoke with a local accent. Police want to speak to anyone who saw this incident - particularly the driver of a taxi which passed the scene a few minutes before.

It was travelling away from the coast towards the John Reid Road roundabout, then went round the roundabout and back down towards the coast. Witnesses can call 0191-4547555 ext 65142.