A building society robber who was caught by a police clerk and a posse of firefighters and traffic wardens has been jailed for six years.

Colin Albiston, 29, fled with £3,000 after holding up the Halifax in London Road, Brighton, with a kitchen knife.

But he came unstuck as he hot-footed it away following the raid in July, which he committed while on the run from prison.

Off-duty police employee Steven Page, who chased him out of the building society, floored him with a rugby tackle.

Then firefighter Dave Sommer and his pals from Red Watch caught up after joining the pursuit while attending a nearby burger bar fire.

Six-footer Dave, a former doorman who weighs 16 stone, jumped on the criminal as he struggled with Mr Page and put him in a headlock.

Other firefighters and a group of traffic wardens helped restrain Albiston and end his bid for freedom.

The dramatic capture was outlined at Lewes Crown Court where Albiston, of Birkenhead, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to robbery.

At the time he was being hunted by police after absconding while on day leave at the end of a ten-year stretch for a previous robbery.

Prosecutor Richard Cherrill said: "Armed with a knife he threatened two members of staff.

"He helped himself to money which he found to the tune of £3,070. The security systems were then activated and he exited the premises.

"A customer saw what was happening and left and alerted some traffic wardens and a number of members of the fire brigade.

"When the defendant left he was pursued by a number of people including an off-duty member of staff from Brighton police station.

"He tackled the defendant and brought him to the ground although he still had the knife on him.

"Two members of the fire brigade helped restrain him and the police were called and arrived and arrested him."

William Saunders, defending, said Albiston had been a heroin addict since the age of 15, and had come off drugs two years ago while in prison but began taking them again while being prepared for release.

He said: "He went back to heroin because he was facing release and had no proper way of dealing with it.

"That resulted in him using heroin until April of this year when he was given home leave.

"He was kicked out of his house by his mother, which led to his absconding. He drifted down south and after 11 days in Brighton found himself with no money and no means of sustenance and came to commit this crime.

"He said he would like to say sorry and in particular to the cashier. It is recognition that he knows right from wrong."

Jailing him, Judge Richard Brown said: "I want to congratulate those involved in the public spirited action of chasing and detaining this defendant."

He ordered Mr Page be given a £200 reward from public funds.