Shop worker Jodie Willsher died as a result of her injuries following the attack in the supermarket in Skipton, North Yorkshire, yesterday.

The 30-year-old mother was rushed to hospital but medics were unable to save her.

A 44-year-old man was detained at the scene by staff and shoppers.

Wilf Beattie, 68, said he did not see the attack but heard commotion and saw Ms Willsher lying in a pool of blood.

Mr Beattie said he punched the suspect in the face several times before dragging him to the floor and restraining him.

The grandfather-of-eight says he shouted to the man, who didn't say a word throughout, “you b*****d” before police led him away in handcuffs.

The bricklayer, of Eastburn, West Yorks, had said hello to Jodie just before the attack.

He said: "I saw the lass, I said hello and then walked away.

"I then heard this commotion, I looked around and these two fellas were having an argument.

"A fella had the other around the neck, I went over and saw her on the floor in a pool of blood.

"I just started laying into him, I punched him in the face a few times. We got him on the floor and restrained him.

"A member of staff came, got his head and a fella and myself got a belt around his legs before a young member of staff came with a big roll of cling film and we wrapped it around his legs.

"She was just lying on the floor in a pool of blood.

"The cops came and put the bracelets on him and got him up. The man didn't say a word, he just looked down at her.

"I said to him, 'you b*****d'. Why he targeted her I shall never know.

"The policeman read him his rights and got him to his feet and marched him out.

"I walked away to get my trolley and they said everybody will have to get out of the premises but I managed to get to the cash till and get my things paid for.

"I don't know whether it was a member of staff but someone came with the first aid boxes.

"He was out to target somebody and why he targeted her, God only knows. When I stopped I was probably about 10 yards away.

"It's not just their Christmas, it's the rest of their lives. The gallows need bringing back, they are scum and no good to anybody."

Wilf's wife, Susan, 70, was at the other side of the store when the incident happened.

She said: "I was at the bottom end of the store at the opposite side.

"People were screaming and shouting. They were running out of the store.

"My husband was trying to hold his legs down so that he couldn't escape."

Police said they had arrested a 44-year-old local man on suspicion of murder.