Thursday, is today recovering at home after being released from hospital.

And Police have appealed for help in finding a man who was seen in the area at the time of the attack.

Mrs. Lydia Lines, owner of the Middle Road store, sustained head injuries that required several stitches, after she was attacked at the store by a robber around 7.20 p.m.

Police spokesman P.c. Gary Venning said the woman made a brave attempt to defend herself but was forced to flee to Gloria's Fashion Fabrics shop next door for help.

He declined to say what kind of weapon was used in the attack. Mrs. Gloria Easton, owner of the Gloria's Fashion Fabrics, said she was inside with a customer when she heard Mrs. Lines call for help.

"I ran to the door with the customer but she (Lines) had already run around the back to get away. She soon came around my side and she was quite hurt,'' she said. "I have never had a problem in the eighteen years I have been here.'' An employee of Mailboxes Warwick, next door to Warwick Mini-mart and Gloria's Fashion Fabrics, yesterday called for increased Police patrols in the area.

Ms Rhonda Simmons, who has worked there since October, said: "This is very alarming for me.

"It's a scary thought that people could be watching the place especially since there are only three women in each of the stores. I hope this is not a trend.'' This was the second attack on Mrs. Lines, and Police are seeking public assistance to locate a man who was seen around the area at the time of the offence.

He is believed to be in his mid-30s, clean shaven with a medium-brown skinned complexion. He speaks with a Bermudian accent and wore a gold coloured print shirt under a black wind-breaker style jacket. He also wore dark coloured trousers and it is believed he carried a dark coloured knapsack.

Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Warwick Mini-mart, Warwick Mailboxes or Gloria's Fashions on Thursday afternoon or early evening. Anyone with information should call Det. Insp. Legay Farley at the incident room 295-0011.