A 'have-a-go hero' who rugby-tackled a suspected shoplifter was recovering today after he was beaten up by the thief's friends.

The 28-year-old from Lancing gave chase when he saw two youths appear to steal goods from Mulberry Wines in Worthing at 5.30pm yesterday.

He chased the pair down Angola Road and managed to grab one of the teenagers, holding him in a rugby tackle.

But a gang of at least four men, thought to be the thief's friends, knocked him down and kicked and punched him.

He was taken to Worthing Hospital with a swollen eye and severely bruised face.

Detective Constable Sue Morgan said: "One of his eyes was big, black and bulging. It was a brutal attack.

"He was seriously hurt but he was lucky not to have broken anything."

She said of his bid to stop the shoplifter: "It was a brave act as he had to run quite a way to catch one of the men.

"He said he had just grabbed hold of one when a car pulled up and up to four more men got out and started attacking him.

"He was very shaken up but didn't seen to regret tackling the shoplifters. He thought they shouldn't be allowed to get away with it."