HEROINE Ann Timson has joked she is “going to dye her hair green” after becoming one of the most talked about women in the country.

The elderly woman, who lives in Spring Boroughs, yesterday revealed she had packed away her now famous red coat and was giving her black bag a rest, after using it to fight off a gang of robbers as they tried to smash their way into Michael Jones Jeweller with sledgehammers.

Yesterday afternoon, police revealed four men, all from London, who were arrested in connection with the robbery, had now been charged. One man was arrested in Gold Street after being wrestled to the ground by passers-by, while two were arrested at the train station after police officers received images via their mobile phones.

A fourth man was arrested in Lower Bath Street after being followed by an eyewitness.

The four men, aged 18, 22, 25 and 39, have been charged with robbery and theft of motor vehicle offences. All four are due in court today.

Mrs Timson, who is in her 70s, says she now realises how dangerous confronting the gang had been, but said she would “do the same again”.

The pensioner spoke exclusively to the Chron on Monday night after we agreed she could remain anonymous. However, after being bombarded with offers from national newspapers and television stations, she yesterday released a statement and her name through Northamptonshire Police.

The Chron understands Mrs Timson turned down a lucrative offer, amounting to several thousand pounds, to give a “tell all” interview. In her statement she said she was “amazed” by-standers had not come to her aid sooner.

Mrs Timson said: “Passers-by didn’t come to my assistance to begin with. I was amazed at that, but they all seemed mesmerised. A lot were standing there filming or taking photos and I wonder whether more people didn’t intervene because they thought the raid was being mocked up.

“In the cold light of day, I know I put myself in danger but I probably would do the same again.”

She added: “My red coat has now been packed away for the winter and my red hair is being dyed green. And my black shopping bag is having a rest today, to give it time to recover from its bruises.”

Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said she met Mrs Timson yesterday to thank her personally for her bravery.

She said: “I have today met Ann and on behalf of the force thanked her for what she did. She demonstrated true community spirit in wanting to help others but we should acknowledge that this did involve a clear element of risk.”

Police confirmed they were still hunting two members of the gang.