Mercury readers disgusted by an act of theft against an 89-year-old widow have reimbursed her with the cash.

Margaret Philpott, 89, thinks she was targeted when £100 disappeared from her purse when she was talking to two supposed collectors for a deaf charity.

Since her story featured on the front page of the Mercury, Dan Reid on behalf of Total Motor Care in Sandwich and Margaret Edwards of Boxing Day Dip organisers Deal Icebreakers offered to replace the cash for her.

They visited Mrs Philpott at her home in Lancelott Close, Deal, on Monday, each presenting her with £100.

An overwhelmed Mrs Philpott has said she will donate the money to charity.

Mr Reid said: “It was our pleasure to be able to do this. We had heard Margaret was going to give the money to charity so we’ve included a £50 M&S voucher to ensure that she spends some on herself.”

Mr Reid was prompted to act after seeing the story on the front page of the Mercury.

He said: “My colleague, Tony, and I were talking about it, saying how disgusted we were that something like that had gone on in Deal.

"I decided to call the Mercury and was surprised more businesses hadn’t come forward.”

After meeting the pensioner on Monday, Mr Reid added: “Margaret is a really sweet lady.

"It really is shameful that somebody could do this to an able bodied person, let alone an old lady.”

Mrs Edwards said the Mercury’s story brought tears to her eyes.

She said: “It’s my pleasure to give Margaret the money. However she has very kindly given it back to me to donate to Freddie Penny who we are raising money for in this year’s dip.”

Mrs Philpott is going to discuss with her family who she should donate the rest of the money to.

She said she will use the M&S voucher to buy some new clothes for Christmas.

Sandwich resident Stephanie Henry had teamed up with Sue Ryder Care manager Joanna Underwood to organise a collection in the shop where the incident happened.

Mrs Philpott has said she would like this money to go to charity, too.

Police are still investigating the theft on Thursday, October 27, in the Sue Ryder shop, High Street, Deal, at about 11.30am.

They appeal to anyone who might have seen the two women to call 01843 222289 or Crimestoppers (anonymously) on 0800 555 111 quoting reference ZY/038599/16.

They are described as white and aged 20 to 30. One wore a white jumper with horizontal stripes and the other had a black top and black headscarf.