A BRAVE charity worker told to take it easy by doctors had would-be robbers fleeing after they tried to hold up her shop.

Miriam Rogers, 56, is only 4ft 8in tall and has artificial valves in her heart, but that did not stop her taking on a gang of four thieves at a charity shop in Chester Road, Sunderland.

The part-time shop worker sprung into action at the shop, which sells bric-a-brac for needy children, when she realised cash had been taken from its safe on Monday.

She scuffled with one of the three female thieves, who all fled from the shop, then tried to make a citizen's arrest of the fourth - a man - by attempting to lock the door.

The man struggled to escape, and was eventually let go by Ms Rogers when he returned the £91 cash.

She said: "I looked round and realised one of the women had got the money from the safe which is in the back room, and she must have handed it to the man.

"I got hold of her, but she quickly left the shop with the others, and then I tried to lock the front door when the man was still inside and call the police.

"He grabbed me by the arm and was pushing at the door and, after a few seconds, he just threw the money on the floor."

Ms Rogers, of the Millfield area of Sunderland, worked as a supervisor of school cleaners in Sunderland for 25 years. She had heart surgery in 1996 and 1998.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the man and three women were all of "Middle Eastern" appearance.

The attempted robbery happened about 10.50am on Monday. Witnesses should contact police on 0191-454 7555.