A 66-year-old ex-Army corporal used his martial arts training to catch an intruder who broke into his neighbour's home.

Alan Crook armed himself with a pickaxe handle, crept next door and sprang into action when the offender emerged from Ann Spring's garage.

The 6ft, 30-year-old intruder winced as he was held in a wrist lock which Mr Crook used to teach troops when he was an unarmed combat trainer.

Mr Crook frogmarched his prisoner to his home in Pines Avenue, Worthing, and sat him down on a settee in the lounge until the police arrived.

Mr Crook said: "This chap told me I was hurting him with the grip but I said 'Not as much as your head will if you make any silly move'."

Mr Crook's wife Wendy, 63, called the police and as officers took the man away, one PC patted Mr Crook on the shoulder and said: "Brilliant."

His son Alan, 39, said: "I'm proud of him - he's ex-Army and fearless."

Mr Crook served with the old Suffolk Regiment and saw action in the Suez crisis in 1956. He said: "If someone tried to break into my house then, God help them."

It has been more than 40 years since he last used his martial arts skills in anger.

Mr Crook was alerted at midnight by a phone call from his neighbours, retired nurse Ann Spring, 72, and her 91-year-old husband, Rodney.

Mrs Spring said: "I had already dialled 999 and told them someone was at my door but I was asked all these questions so I said, 'Don't bother, I'll get my neighbour'.

"Alan did a very good job and I'm very grateful to him. I'll go straight to him in future if we get any trouble."