A RUGBY player was hailed a hero today for tackling a man after a pensioner was robbed in a town centre subway.

Steve Kerry, former player manager at Blackburn Rugby Club, sprang into action after hearing cries for help at around 1.30pm yesterday.

Today the 67-year-old Blackburn woman at the centre of the drama said: "I can't thank him enough. I was so lucky to get my purse back before it had even been opened."

A man has been charged with theft and was due to appear before magistrates in Blackburn today.

The woman, who was too shaken to be named, was walking along the subway near to Morrisons supermarket and Penny Street when a thief grabbed her and ran off with her purse.

Steve, 36, who works at Thwaites' brewery, was walking near to the Fleece pub, Penny Street, when he heard people shouting.

He said: "I was going to the pub for some lunch when I heard someone shout 'get him'. I saw this lad running away and I automatically thought there had been a handbag snatch.

"Me and two other men decided to do the same thing and chased him. I jumped over some railings near to the pub and I managed to pin him down until the police arrived and arrested him."

He added: "I am a rugby player and I thought I might have had to tackle him to the ground."

He said: "The old lady then came over and she was really shaken. It is a great shame something like this could happen. I'm only glad we were there to help and she was not hurt.

"And fortunately the lady managed to get her purse back without anything being taken."

The pensioner said: "I was going along the tunnel with my purse in my hand. There was nothing much in it, but sSuddenly this lad came up and ripped it out of my hand. It was dark and no one else was around when it happened. I started shouting and luckily people started coming to my rescue.

"I'm feeling a bit shaky after the whole thing, but I wasn't hurt. I just feel more annoyed than anything. It's just so frustrating that someone can think they can just steal someone's purse when they feel like it.

"I just thought, hang on, no one's getting my purse and tried to hang on to it as long as I could. I think the lad who did it just wanted money to go to the pub."

She said: "It does make you worry about going out on your own, but my sister has been here to look after me."

Steve, who lives in Fulwood, Preston was appointed player manager at Blackburn Rugby Club, Ramsgreave Drive, in September, 1998, having spent his early playing career at Salford and Preston Grasshoppers.