Gardener Donald Taylor became a hero yesterday when he tackled a raider at the home of financier John F. Nash.

Mr Taylor (59) was working in the grounds of Mr Nash's Manor House home in Church Street, Burton Latimer, at about 2.20 pm when the burglar alarm went off.

"I rushed up to the house and as I rounded the corner I bumped into the thief," he said.

"He was carrying three bags of silverware and jewellery. I tried to grab him but he threw the bags at me and ran down the garden.

"I chased him but he escaped when he jumped through a hawthorn hedge at the bottom of the garden."

Mr Taylor described the raider as aged 26 to 28, 5ft 10in tall, slim build, clean shaven, with bushy sandy-coloured hair and wearing a brown sheepskin-type jacket and light trousers.

Mr Taylor said: "The thief smashed a window to get in and then kicked down the dining room door, which was locked, to get at the silver."

Mr Nash and his wife have been holidaying in Frinton, near Clacton, but are due to return home this afternoon.

"Mrs Nash phoned last night after hearing about the burglary. She was absolutely delighted the silver was saved," said Mr Taylor, who has been gardener at the Manor House for four years.