Friends of an 82-year-old man who was mugged while on his way home have rallied round and made a collection for him.

Customers and staff at the Nelson pub, in Between Towns Road, Cowley, Oxford, were shocked when they heard that a member of the crib team had been robbed after a match at the pub.

The pensioner, who does not want people to know his identity or how much was raised for fear of a repeat attack, was pushed to the ground as he walked along Barns Road at about 10.30pm.

Two teenagers on bikes, thought to be about 13- or 14-years-old, wearing dark clothing, rifled through his pockets taking £40.

Liz Bye, the pub's landlady, found out about the attack when the pensioner's wife called to explain why he had not been in as usual.

Mrs Bye said: "I was absolutely disgusted. You just don't think about things like that happening - he has been walking home after crib at that time of night for years.

"We will never let him walk alone again, there will always be someone to accompany him home from now on.

"I think they (the muggers) should be ashamed of themselves. I bet they don't stop and think how they would feel if it had been their grandfather. I don't understand how they can do it. They must be cowards to pick on an 82-year-old man."

Mrs Bye and her staff organised a collection and raised considerably more than the amount that was stolen.

Mrs Bye said: "Like me, the rest of the staff and the customers were absolutely devastated to think it had happened to one of our own and so close to home. The amount we raised in such a short time just goes to show how people felt.

"We really hope that the money we collected for them will go towards a couple of nights away or a really good, slap-up meal to help them get over what has happened."

Anyone with information should call Oxford police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.