A FEARLESS shop worker who wrestled a purse pinching thief to the ground has been hailed a hero.

Brave Josie Crossland proved she's not a woman to be messed with after chasing a thief who struck at a charity shop on Market Street - tackling the offender to the ground and making a citizen's arrest.

The 46-year-old, who works at nearby Card Factory, was on her dinner break when it happened and has been hailed a hero after her actions were filmed by a member of the public.

The video went viral on Facebook and has been watched more 280,000 time and shared by thousands of people.

It can be viewed below (scroll down)