A former Oxford United groundsman became an instant celebrity when he fought off a street gang while on holiday in Brazil and them helped police catch his attackers.

Mick Moore, head groundsman at St John's College, flew to South America with wife Sandra for two-weeks on March 16.

But any hopes of a quiet break were dashed after he tackled the gang in Rio De Janiero - something almost unheard of in the Brazilian capital - and his antics were broadcast across Brazilian TV and reported in the local press.

The couple were on the last day of a short stay in Rio on March 19 and were due to head to Salvador to end their holiday.

As they headed back to their hotel, they were confronted by one of the city's notorious street gangs.

Mr Moore, 63, who was head groundsman with Oxford United at the Manor Ground and Kassam Stadium for 17 years, said: "As we walked to get past the gang I was struck on the shoulder. I turned around and someone had stuck a five inch blade up under my throat.

"The first thing I thought was, 'I'm going to get stabbed', so I attacked him before he attacked me.

"I hit him as hard as I could on both shoulders and he toppled back over a hand rail behind him and into a busy road."

Other gang members managed to grab a couple of shopping bags from Mrs Moore before running off.

The couple went back to their hotel and reported the incident to their holiday rep and the police. They decided to stay in the hotel until they were ready to leave for the airport.

But the hapless crooks wandered back into view and Mr Moore was determined to make sure the gang was bought to book.

He immediately called police to inform them the thieves were near the hotel and started taking pictures of the gang.

When police turned up, Mr Moore explained to them what he had seen and told them where to look for the gang.

Within 30 minutes the police returned with the crooks in the back of several vehicles and Mr Moore was asked to go to the station to make a statement.

The Moores were then rushed from the police station to the airport to catch their flight, where they were greeted by reporters and a news crew from Brazilian national television.