A PENSIONER who was held at gun point outside a church before having her car stolen is today said to be recovering from the shock.The regular church-goer was unlocking St Andrew's Church, in The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, at 8.

A PENSIONER who was held at gun point outside a church before having her car stolen is today said to be recovering from the shock.

The regular church-goer was unlocking St Andrew's Church, in The Street, Rushmere St Andrew, at 8.40am on Saturday when a man approached her and held an air pistol to her head.

Vicar Bruce Wakeling, of the church, today praised her as a brave woman who coped with the situation brilliantly.

He said: “Fortunately once the gun was pulled out she knew that the best thing to do was just let him take her car.

“She is in a lot of shock by the incident, as we all are here at the church.

“We certainly do not expect situations like this to happen here.”

Mr Wakeling said the pensioner had been acting as church warden on Saturday and due to an event going on elsewhere she had gone to unlock the church earlier than usual.

He added: “She was left extremely shaken and did not attend the church service yesterday but did come to a concert in the afternoon.

“She was very grateful to the police officers who came out to see her afterwards and feels comforted by the fact the police have a suspect in custody.”

The man drove off in the woman's blue Rover and ten police cars were sent out to chase him.

A man in his 30s, from the Ipswich area, was arrested shortly before 10am in Bramford on suspicion of armed robbery. The car was found and had an air gun inside.

He is currently still in police custody and has yet to be charged.

Any witnesses to the event are asked to contact detective superintendent Eammon Bridger on 01473 613500.

Did you witness this incident? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.