Christian Joyce, 32, grabbed a teenage lout who had snatched the bag of an 86-year-old woman - and then hung on to him until the police arrived.

A 14-year-old boy has since been charged with robbery and Mr Joyce has been handed a commendation by the Lancashire Constabulary.

Mr Joyce. of Arden Green, said: "It was just one of those occasions where you act on the spur of the moment. I hope it never happens again but I would do the same if it did.

"All I thought at the time was that there was no way I was letting this lad get away with what he did."

Det Sgt Dave Reeder of Fleetwood CID said: "The intervention of Mr Joyce was critical and officers were extremely grateful for his actions.''

The incident unfolded at around midday on a Sunday in December last year when Mr Joyce was in the town centre with his wife Lisa.

The pensioner and her husband had just been to St Peter's Parish Church and were walking home down Lord Street when the thief dashed out an alleyway to grab the bag and knocked the woman to the ground.

Mr Joyce immediately gave chase and managed to detain a boy after a short chase.

He added: "I was walking about 20ft behind the couple. It was a bit of a shock to see this happen.

"It didn't cross my mind about violence but he could have been carrying a weapon.

"As soon as I saw him grab the bag and started to run after him I caught up with him a couple of streets away."

Mr Joyce is a former cross-country runner and still jogs regularly and found his fitness came in handy.

The youngster tried to break free but another passer-by helped drag him to the floor.

Mr Christian, who is a fish packer for fish merchants C&G Neve, has a three-year-old daughter Megan.

He received the award from the head of local police Chief Supt Tim Jacques who said: "I am extremely proud to hand Christian his award and his family can be extremely proud of him as well.

"We live in a very safe place generally but it is heartening to know that members of the public are prepared to act in such an extraordinary way.''