SOLICITOR Roger Houlker was heralded this week as one of Britain's most prolific have-a-go heroes.

Public spirited Mr Houlker has made no less than seven citizens arrests of criminals in the street in the last 20 years.

He was publicly rewarded for the latest of them at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Members of his proud family were there to watch Mr Houlker, from Swettenham, receive an official commendation for chasing and catching a robber in Cheltenham.

He leapt into action when he saw an elderly woman being robbed of her bag outside Cheltenham Ladies College, where his daughter is a student.

He gave chase in his car before leaping out and overpowering the mugger, who he sat on until police arrived.

The robber was sent to prison for three years, and the judge who sentenced him called for a ceremony to thank Mr Houlker for his public spirited actions.

"I really don't know why this has kept happening to me," said Mr Houlker, who received his commendation from Gloucestershire High Sheriff John Eyre.

"I don't go out expecting to come across a crime and arrest someone - I just seem to be in the right place at the right time.

"Because I played rugby I'm used to being knocked about, and not afraid of tackling people."