A DAIRY owner who was brutally attacked as she was about to start a milk round is back at work.

But Nancy Willett, 67, is still reluctant to carry out full deliveries while her attacker remains at large.

Miss Willett, of AT Willett Bishpool Dairy, in Newport, suffered a fractured jaw and cheekbone and needed 30 stitches in her head after the attack at 2.30am on July 13.

She told the Argus: "I've been helping my sister with the business when it's daylight.

"I possibly will go back to deliveries in the future but I'm nervous that my attacker may be around still.

"It was dark when it happened and was so quick, I just thought it was like an animal. I couldn't imagine who was doing it to me.

"The police have been very kind to me but they have had very little response about what happened and they have no definite leads at the moment."

Miss Willett was loading up her milk float when she was assaulted. She thanked all the well-wishers who sent her more than 200 cards, flowers, chocolate, wine, fruit, cakes, money and even a freshly caught trout.

Miss Willett said: "It's been a terrible time for me but it's lovely to think people were thinking about me and being so kind.

"I would like to thank my family, friends, neighbours, customers, ambulance staff, everyone at the Royal Gwent Hospital and the South Wales Argus."

The pensioner runs the dairy with her 73-year-old sister Doreen. Anyone with information is asked to call 01633 838111 or Crime-stoppers on 0800 555111.