A DAD-OF-TWO who tackled a man with a machete to the ground inside Lloyds Bank in Taunton said he acted instinctively to protect his daughter.

Former cage fighter Steve Harris, from Taunton, was in the Fore Street branch when a man pulled a 15-inch machete from a carrier bag and brandished it at customers and staff.

Taunton rugby player Steve, who works as a tree surgeon for Chris Groves Associates, said his training from the sports field came in handy when he tackled the suspect to the ground.

He said: “It happened so quickly, I was making sure he did not hurt anyone including my daughter. I tackled him to the floor and others helped restrain him while I put him in an arm lock until police arrived.”

A man was arrested in connection with the attempted robbery.

A FAMILY told the County Gazette cats in their village were being used as target practice by people with air and pellet guns.

The Whitlam family's pet was left blinded after being shot, and they warned other pet owners in Cotford St Luke to be wary of a similar things happening.

Dad John said: “It's not acceptable - I think someone has a scorecard against cats because it seems to happen at the same time every year in early and late summer.

“We've had Max fixed up, but the vets dug pellets out of his body.”