The 61-year-old owner of Walsall DIY has been heralded a hero after tackling a bank robber wielding a hammer at Lloyds Bank in Wednesbury.

Omi Bhatia, who has studied martial arts for 40 years, was being served in the bank at around 9am on April 27 when he noticed the hooded robber approaching staff with a hammer. The father of four was able to grab the weapon and overpower the robber with the help of other customers.

Speaking to local press, Mr Bhatia said: “I had my back to him, I was talking to the cashier and I noticed him – I thought he might need a pen or something. He had a hammer in the air, close to my head. He said 'I need the money, give me the money.'

“[The cashier] did give him the money, probably more than £300. I grabbed the hammer. I had to do it quickly and safely.”

Mr Bhatia added that he said to the robber: “Sorry, wrong time, wrong day.”

After Mr Bhatia grabbed the weapon, another customer tripped the offender and Mr Bhatia instructed two people to sit on him as staff called police.

When he returned to the bank the next day, Mr Bhatia was given a hero's welcome by staff, who said they were “very glad” he had been there during the attack.

Wednesbury councillor Pete Hughes has called for Mr Bhatia and the other customers who played a part in subduing the offender to receive awards for their actions.

West Midlands Police spokesman Brigg Ford said: "We received a 999 call reporting a robbery in progress. A man carrying a hammer has gone in and made some threats.

"He was overpowered by customers who pinned him to the floor. Police arrived a couple of minutes later. Nobody was hurt."

Brian Moughan, 26, of no fixed abode, has been charged with robbery.