Pensioner dies tackling burglar

Residents say there has been little trouble in the past

An elderly man has collapsed and died after rugby-tackling a burglar.

Pensioner Edwin Brixton collapsed after chasing the intruder on the road near his Basingstoke home.

The 77-year-old retired electrical engineer is believed to have suffered a heart attack and died shortly afterwards at the North Hampshire Hospital.

Mr Brixton ran from his semi-detached home in Camfield Close to chase the thief after he spotted him leaving one of his neighbour's property with a bag.

Brave man

His son, Adrian Brixton, said his father had a history of heart problems and was waiting for an operation.

Mr Brixton paid tribute to his father and said he was a brave man.

"He looked out for his family, friends and neighbours.

"His wife is OK and bearing up at the moment and we are just very shocked by what has happened."

Hampshire Police said there were no obvious wounds on Mr Brixton's body that may have contributed to his death.

Detectives have launched a hunt for the burglar and describe him as white, aged in his 20s, with short cropped, possibly shaven hair.