News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

When a special constable dressed as giant banana chased and caught a suspected thief, he wasn’t about to let the man-go.

Luke Summerhayes, 21, who was doing his normal job as a Tesco cashier, was wearing the 6ft 7in outfit during a fancy dress day at the store. And he didn’t let it hinder him when the security alarms went off, alerting staff to the presence of a bad apple.

Luke gave chase in his bright yellow outfit and collared a suspect in the car park.

He said yesterday: “I don’t think the bloke could believe it when he realised who was chasing him. He looked pretty surprised and didn’t really look like he wanted to argue with me.

“I was just doing my job really. I heard the alarm go off and ran out of the store in pursuit. Everyone at work found it hilarious. I guess I am the real-life Bananaman. I think it’ll definitely help towards my training for the police.”

Luke, from Wells, Somerset, was supervising the self-service checkouts at the city’s Tesco store when the security alarm went off at 10.30pm on December 19.

He said: “I heard the alarm go off and had just seen this guy walking out. I ran out and across the car park and caught him up.

“He denied it, but didn’t argue when I asked him to come back to the store. He went through the security system and it went off again. When the police arrived I even ­recognised a few of them because I work one day a week as a special constable in Wells.”

An allegedly stolen TV aerial was found at the scene.

3A MAN, 22, has been charged with theft and is due to appear at South Somerset magistrates court on January 6.