THE detective leading the investigation into who attacked Newport dairy owner Nancy Willett says they are no further forward one week later.

DI Dave Edwards said that no new leads had come in about the attacker, who is only known to be a man with a gruff voice.

Miss Willett, who was attacked at 2.30am as she went to load her milk float at at Willett Bishpool Dairy in the dark, said that she was still in a lot of pain and was hoping she would not need an operation.

The 67-year-old, who suffered a fractured jaw and cheekbone in the attack and needed 30 stitches in her head, said: "It's quite sore, so perhaps it's knitting back together and I won't have to have an operation.

"I'm just taking it steady and I'm not sure yet when I'll be back on the milk round. I'll see how I go this week.

"A friend is helping my sister with the round at the moment." Miss Willett added: "I don't know if they'll ever catch him. If anyone knows anything would they come forward please.

"I just don't know why he did it because I haven't done anything to anybody. He wasn't like a human being, he was like an animal."

Police are considering the theory that she disturbed a burglar at the dairy, in Ringwood Avenue, as there had been a spate of burglaries in the area. Since the attack, Miss Willett has received a flood of messages of support, cards and flowers.

Ringland milkman Andrew Upham, who used to help Miss Willett and her family deliver milk as a young boy about 30 years ago, said: "This woman is a legend in Ringland.

"She could have retired years ago, but she still gets to her customers in all sorts of weather.

"It's disgusting what happened to her and all my customers agree."