A 100-year-old widow who had her neck broken as she was mugged on the way to church has died.

Sophia Kaczan was left covered in blood and with a fractured cheekbone after being thrown to the pavement as the thug grabbed her leather bag from behind.

Incredibly, the 'resilient' pensioner managed to stumble to her church, still clutching one of the bag's gold straps.

The pensioner was taken to hospital after the mugging on May 28 with what police initially said were 'non-life threatening injuries'. However, she has now died.

Sophia Kaczan (pictured) was taken to hospital after the mugging on May 28 with what police initially said were 'non-life threatening injuries' but has since died

The widow was left covered in blood and with a fractured cheekbone after being thrown to the pavement as the thug grabbed her leather bag (pictured) from behind

Police in Derbyshire said that a 39-year-old man had been released under investigation in relation to the robbery.

Detectives are now asking for help to trace the owner of a Seat Leon that was seen in the area at the time of the attack and was abandoned in a car park days later.

At the time, neighbours said they feared that Mrs Kaczan could have had as much as £1,000 in the bag because she had a big electricity bill to pay and did not like leaving money in the house.

The former factory worker, known as Sophie by friends, had moved from Poland to the UK with husband Micoli after the Second World War.

Detectives are now asking for help to trace the owner of a Seat Leon that was seen in the area at the time of the attack and was abandoned in a car park days later

She was attacked moments after leaving her semi-detached home in Derby to attend a service at nearby St Maksymilian Kolbe Polish Church.

Neighbours Stacia and Gary Fitzsimmons said Mrs Kaczan's bag was later found dumped, with the utility bill for about £900 still in it.

Mrs Kaczan, a devout Catholic, celebrated her centenary with a party at her home last month (pictured)

Mrs Kaczan, a devout Catholic, celebrated her centenary with a party at her home last month, where she showed off a certificate from the Pope marking the milestone.

Her husband's wartime service with a Polish regiment won him the right to settle in the UK.

He worked at the Rolls-Royce factory in Derby, but died a decade ago. The couple did not have any children.

Detective Chief Inspector Darren De'ath, who is leading the investigation, said: 'This crime is absolutely horrific.

'Mrs Kaczan was a well-loved member of the community and that she was targeted in this way is disgusting.

'There are people in Derby who know the person responsible for this crime and I would urge them to come forward with any information that can help bring those responsible to justice.'

Mr De'ath added: 'We have a number of leads that we are pursuing and a post-mortem will take place to determine a cause of death.'