The drama unfolded as Jean Hirst (72), of Lichfield Lane, got lost as she was looking for the Duchess Theatre in Long Eaton.

Jean — who was an All England School's champion sprinter when she was younger — stopped to ask three teenage girls for directions who then insisted on getting in the car to show her the way.

"Being a retired school teacher I told them you should never get in a car with strangers, but they said I hardly looked dangerous," she said.
The girls guided Jean to the theatre and as they pulled into the car park one of the girls asked for 20 pence.

But as she reached for her bag she realised it had gone.
One of the girls who had been sitting in the rear had stolen it and was now calling the other two to go with her.

"This is where the fun came in," said Jean.

Pumped full of adrenaline she 'felt 18 years old again' and sprinted across the car park.

'Whole life'

"My whole life was in that handbag, my purse, house keys and names and addresses of friends," she said.

"The girl was about 100 yards away and was so astonished that I was catching up with her, she threw my bag on the floor."

Jean says the girls who had remained by the car immediately apologised to her — but instead of calling the police, she just told them to choose their friends more carefully.

"I was not as out of breath as I thought I should be at my age," said Jean. "In fact it felt so wonderful to run again that I didn't think of my safety, I just wanted my bag back."

Active

Jean taught at various schools across Mansfield and Ashfield including a stint at Ethel Wainwright from 1977 to 1993. When she retired she remained working as a supply teacher for the next 10 years.

She says she believes her present fitness levels are due to her being so active when she was younger.

"I feel I've had a free medical as I know my heart works and my bones are strong," she said.

Although she still get aches every now and again, she said it was not surprising at her age and there was no lasting damage.

She stressed that people must stay active even as they get older and her story was testament to the fact that you should 'never judge a book by its cover'.

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