A CAPED hero ran to the aid of a damsel in distress who was being mugged at a cash machine.

Charity fundraiser Antonio Cortes was dressed as Superman when he leapt to the defence of the 66-year-old woman.

The trained Thai boxer fled his fry-up at a pub just after 11.30am on Wednesday after hearing the pensioner shriek at a nearby Co-operative Bank.

The 32-year-old ran on to the street in true comic book pose, his red cape billowing behind him as he wrestled the alleged robber to the ground and pinned him down until police came.

Mr Cortes told the Gloucester Citizen: "I grabbed him but he tried running off, so I held him and swept his legs from under his feet.

"I then held him there until the police arrived about five minutes later.

"There were a few passers-by laughing and joking but it was quite scary.

"The lady's husband came out of the bank later on and shook my hand.

"I feel like a real life superhero, but I just did what anyone else would have done.

"It feels good knowing that I have saved someone. It's scary to think that in broad daylight, someone can do that."

Mr Cortes, who lives in Banbury, was dressed as the hero to fundraise for Give a Smile.

The charity – also based in Banbury – helps disadvantaged families.

Police have charged 54-year-old Kevin James MacKenzie of Gloucester for attempted robbery in the city centre.