DETECTIVES have vowed never to give up in the hunt for a robber who ultimately claimed a pensioner's life.

Jane Ploughman was attacked just yards from her home, in Jasper Avenue, Seaham, County Durham, a year ago yesterday.

The 74-year-old's handbag, containing cash and personal papers, was snatched before she was pushed to the ground.

She suffered knee and hand injuries, which required hospital treatment.

Mrs Ploughman died three weeks later, in the early hours of New Year's Day, and medical experts linked the cause of her death to the attack.

Despite several appeals in the past 12 months, the attacker has not been caught.

But Detective Inspector Paul Ewart, based at Peterlee police station, said: "Officers are still assigned to this inquiry and we have absolutely no intentions of giving up.

"We believe there are people out there who could give us vital information. We could be one phone call away from tracking Mrs Ploughman's attacker."

A blue car was spotted by Mrs Ploughman near her home before the robbery and her handbag was later found three miles away on a walkway, on the outskirts of Burdon Village.

She had been shopping at Seaham Harbour and was returning at about 3.30pm.

She got off a bus at The Avenue, in Seaham, and was walking along a pedestrian walkway when she spotted the blue car, near Grantham Avenue.

She told the police she had been suspicious of the occupants because of the attention they were paying her.

When she entered Jasper Avenue, she heard footsteps behind her and seconds later her handbag was grabbed.

She struggled to her feet and made her way to a neighbour's house to raise the alarm.

Det Insp Ewart said: "It is not too late for anyone with information to come forward.

"The anniversary may serve to prick someone's conscience."

Anyone with information is asked to ring Seaham Police on 0191-581 2255.