Now eight weeks on, two generous Leeds businessmen have replaced almost all the stolen £695 with cash and gift tokens.

The thieves struck on August 14 as 73-year-old Edna shopped with relatives at Asda in Killingbeck, Leeds, intending to buy a cooker and dishwasher at a nearby electrical store.

The retired school cleaner and grandmother of five, wanted the appliances to complete the refurbished kitchen the council was planning to install at the semi-detached house in Moortown, where and husband Tom have lived for more than 50 years.

In Asda, as Mrs Tetley and her daughter and son-in-law split up for a few moments, she was surrounded by a number of women.

When they moved away Edna checked her bags and found her purse had been stolen.

Soon after the YEP reported Edna's misfortune, we were contacted by Mark Collin, owner of a building trades training company, who offered £100. Now another Leeds businessman has donated a £500 gift voucher to be spent at the electric store where Edna planned to buy her cooker and dishwasher.

The new donor, who did not wish to be named, said: "I just wanted Mrs Tetley to know that there are some good people about and the best thing she can do is carry on with her life."

Mr Collin had said: "When I read what had happened to Mrs Tetley I was disgusted. I have lost my grandparents, but I know how I would feel if it had happened to them or any elderly relative."

When our reporter handed the gift token and Mr Collin's cheque to an overwhelmed Edna, she said: "I knew there were some good people out there, but I never expected anything like this.

"I am over the moon at the generosity of these two people. Now I will be able to have my new cooker and even a small dishwasher."