A woman assaulted in a Bicester supermarket car park has been identified as a leading national charity worker.

Marjorie Wallace, 58, the founder of the schizophrenia charity, Sane, was attacked at about 4 pm on Sunday as she returned to her car in the car park at Tesco's Pingle Drive store.

Ms Wallace, who lives in north London, said: "From my memory he looked like Slobodan Milosevic. It was the end of the day and there was hardly anyone in the car park. My partner was with me and I ran across to open the car."

Two people were sitting in a car, which was parked next to her Vauxhall car.

She said: "I wondered why they were sitting there. As I came in between the two cars and before I had a chance to get in to the driving seat the man leaned out of his window and punched me on the head.

"I fell against my car and he yanked my bag with such force, he broke the strap. Then he beat me about the head as he was getting the handbag.

"I was saying 'what are you doing?' He was laughing and revving the engine. Then he drove the car into me, pushing me into my car."

Ms Wallace described the second person as "coloured with sticking-up hair". She did not know whether the person was a man or a woman.

She said someone had witnessed part of the assault. When they realised what had happened, they drove after the car and got the number plate details.

Ms Wallace was taken to the Bicester Cottage Hospital and then transferred to the John Radcliffe hospital, Oxford. She said she was covered in bruises and lacerations.

She said: "I just feel tired. I am glad it was me and not an older or frail person because they would not have survived. I did not want to die in Tesco's car park. I'm amazed I survived."

Ms Wallace had been visiting her charity's research centre in Oxford and had popped in to Bicester to do some last-minute shopping.

Police are appealing for witnesses to what they have described as "a shocking attack in broad daylight in a busy area". Call Bicester CID on 01869 364559.