'Batman' swoops in store raid

Staff at the Harpurhey Asda store were dressing up to raise money for Children in Need.

Security manager Alan Nickerson had donned the costume of the caped crusader, when he saw an alleged offence taking place.

It was reminiscent of the 1996 Only Fools and Horses episode when Del and Rodney, dressed as Batman and Robin, apprehended a robber.

"It did feel a bit bizarre," Mr Nickerson told BBC News Online.

He said he had been watching CCTV in the security office when he saw a number of youths allegedly drinking the store's alcohol.

He chased a group of youths outside and brought them into the store.

"I think they got a bit of a shock.

"They said they would never come back to the store if Batman was on security," he said.

He said the police were "gob smacked" when they arrived.

"One of them asked if my outfit was Asda's new security uniform," Mr Nickerson said.

Three people have been arrested.