'Supergran' Gets Jill Dando Award

8 July 2011, 10:46 | Updated: 8 July 2011, 11:05

The 71 year old who stopped a robbery at a jeweller's by hitting six armed men with her shopping bag has been given a national bravery award.

Ann Timson's heroics in Gold Street, Northampton on Monday 7 February 2011 were caught on camera by a film crew who were working in the area.  The footage has been seen around the world, and it's made her a national heroine.

One of the men threatened Ann with a sledgehammer but she kept hitting him and called out to raise the alarm.  Five men have since been jailed for the attempted robbery.

She was given the Jill Dando Award at the Police Bravery Awards at London's Savoy Hotel on Thursday 7 July 2011.  The award recognises acts of incredible bravery and remembers BBC TV presenter Jill Dando, who was murdered outside her home in west London in 1999.

Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, Paul McKeever, said "Mrs Timson showed astonishing bravery and her heroic actions are very deserving of this prestigious award.

"Mrs Timson had tremendous courage and her instinct to intervene and stop a robbery is an inspiration to us all. She demonstrated true community spirit in wanting to help others despite potentially putting her own life at risk."

Watch the footage of Ann's heroics in Northampton