Ivonete Pereira, 58, was shot in the chest by one of two attackers who tried to rob the bus in Salvador, capital of the northeastern state of Bahia.

But she was saved by coiled notes worth 150 reals (around £45) tucked away inside the left side of her bra.

Ms Pereira had stowed the cash away as she knew the buses were a repeat target for robbers.

She had been travelling to her summer home in the nearby town of Lauro de Freitas when the attack happened.

When the bus passed through the Boca do Rio neighborhood, the robbers suddenly struck.

A shootout ensued with a police officer on the scene, during which a stray bullet hit Ms Pereira.

Her bra was stuffed with just enough cash to absorb most of the impact, although she still had to be taken to hospital to have the bullet removed.

A retired sergeant was killed during the shooting with the assailants, who managed to escape.