A 71-YEAR-old have-a-go hero, who helped foil an armed robbery, has vowed he would do it again if he came across a similar incident.

Mr Derrick Whalley was shot in his right shoulder at point-blank range when he twice tried to foil armed thugs after a bungled robbery outside Radcliffe's community charge offices in Whittaker Street, 12 months ago.

The pensioner, from Hindburn Close in Whitefield, tried to knock the gun out of one raider's hand with his walking stick.

He hit the attacker on the back of the neck and shoulder before the man fled empty-handed.

This week Mr Whalley was honoured by Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable David Wilmot, who presented him with a commendation.

Mr Whalley said afterwards: "If you see a gunman, the weapon may be loaded with blanks, it may be a toy, or it may be firing real bullets. Yet I say to people: have a go!

"If they have to use guns then they are cowards."

The battling pensioner was leaving the council offices when he saw raiders threatening a security guard.

Mr Whalley went over and began hitting one of the thugs with his walking stick before raising the alarm.

Returning to the scene he continued hitting out at the robber who was threatening to shoot security guard Mr Alan Ashcroft.

Mr Whalley was then shot in the right shoulder during the struggle.

Two other members of the public, one who was also shot and a second who managed to dodge a hail of bullets, also won commendations but declined to be photographed.

Mr Douglas Kirkpatrick (39) of Grosvenor Street, Radcliffe, was shot in the leg when he went to the aid of the security guard.

A member of Bury Council's own staff, who does not wish to be named but who was driving past at the time, was shot at when he tried to drive at the raiders. He had a lucky escape as bullets peppered his car's dashboard.

Mr Wilmot said of Mr Whalley: "The actions he took were very public-spirited and courageous."

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