KIND-hearted townspeople raised £160 in just five hours for a 95-year-old woman who lost £90 on a Christmas shopping trip.

Ross-on-Wye residents showed the spirit of Christmas to back a JustGiving campaign to help the pensioner after she lost the money while visiting Morrisons last Friday.

She had taken the money our of her heating allowance to buy Christmas presents, and moved by her story, Andy Skinner set up the fundraiser yesterday morning (Tuesday, December 19), with the total soon zooming past the target, and it now standing at £170.

The pensioner’s friend, Pauline Thompson, first revealed the loss of the cash in a Facebook post, writing: "Long shot I know, but did anyone pick up a large amount of money in Morrisons today.

"My 95-year-old friend dropped it while shopping and nothing has been handed in at the desk. She had drawn it out of her winter fuel allowance a short while before and know it was definitely in her bag while in Morrisons.

"There may well be CCTV, but until then if anyone knows of anything please help get this money back to its rightful owner.

"She is such a kind and generous lady, she would give anyone help, so I would love to think that this was returned to her."

Andy then decided to try and help, setting up a fundraising page and posting: "A 95-year-old lady from Ross-on-Wye has lost £90 that she withdrew from her heating allowance to buy Christmas presents.

"Would be lovely if the people from Ross who have £5 or £10 they can spare to help make her Christmas a little bit better and get her the money back - and possibly a bit more. (It is Christmas after all)."

And with the total climbing, he later posted on Facebook: "Amazing work to everyone that donated. Incredible that it’s been raised so fast and makes me proud to be part of the Ross community.

"We have met and gone over the target and I am just talking to Pauline to discuss the best way to get the money to the lady. I will keep you all updated with the progress."

Donator Caroline Hanford posted: "Lovely to see the community spirit is still alive, hope you smash your target."