Milkman Rod White has been handed an award after he gave a policeman a lift on his float to catch a suspected burglar.

Rod was doing his rounds in the early hours in Southwick when he spotted a man acting suspiciously.

After calling the police, the 57-year-old trailed the man and saw him enter a property.

He then gave an officer a lift on his milk float to the front door, where the man was arrested as he left.

Rod, from Portslade, said he felt very threatened when he first saw the man.

The father-of-three and grandfather-of-ten said: "I thought there was a possibility I was going to die."

The incident happened at 3am. Rod said: "I spotted a man walking up and down the side of people's houses.

"It looked a bit odd. He was a big bloke - about 6ft 4in.

"I called the police and they were there in about two minutes but by then he had disappeared again.

"I went off in my milk float and suddenly he reappeared in front of me. So I turned the float around and drove furiously back to get the police. I gave one a lift on my milk float.

"By then this guy was in someone's front room striking matches to see what he could take.

"The police waited for him to walk out the front door then got him."

Yesterday Rod was awarded the national Milk Heroes Award for his bravery and quick thinking.

He had already been thanked for his actions after the incident in November in a letter from Chief Inspector Stuart Harrison of Sussex Police.

But Rod, who is based at the Unigate dairy in Hove, said he did not expect to receive an award for his efforts.

He said: "I would hardly say I felt like a hero as I stood there trembling.

"I've seen a lot of things on my rounds during the years but I ignore a lot of it.

"But sometimes you just have to do something."

The award was presented by Edmund Proffitt, the Dairy Industry Association's processing manager.

Mr Proffitt said: "Rod is a first-class example of the work that milkmen often do over and above their normal duties.

"He saw a problem and acted promptly without any thought for his own safety.

"We in the dairy industry are very proud of him and this award is a small way of showing our appreciation."