A Lichfield police officer on an afternoon shopping trip put all his rugby skills to use when he ended the flight of a suspected car thief with a flying tackle.

Chief Inspector John Reynolds, an ex-Walsall Rugby Club full back was called into action by his former team captain Franklin Swinnerton.

Mr Swinnerton was involved in a high speed chase through the centre of Walsall when he spotted his ex-team mate on the pavement.

"I could not believe my luck. John was walking along the pavement with his wife. I asked him to get involved as an officer of the law," Mr Swinnerton said today.

"He chased after the man and brought him to the ground with a tackle. The man got up but he got him again while I phoned for the police.

"It was quite amazing. I told John afterwards that he had lost none of his speed as a full back."

A Peugeot 205 car had been driven at high speed out of the salesroom of Mr Swinnerton's garage, Goodfellows, in Paddock Lane, with its For Sale sign still on the roof.

Mr Swinnerton and a salesman gave chase in another car up Ablewell Street and Warewell Street, where a man jumped out.

Chief inspector Reynolds, aged 46, who is based with Southern Traffic at Lichfield, said: "I saw this Peugeot 205 being driven at high speed and this other car behind it.

"Then there was a screaming of tyres and first one stopped then the other and Frank jumped out and said the man had stolen his car."

"I told Frank later it was just like old times when he was captain and I was full back - he did all the shouting and I did all the running around" .

Walsall police said today a man was being interviewed about the incident.