A 23-YEAR-OLD man from Basingstoke is today due to appear before the town's magistrates charged with manslaughter and burglary following the death of a have-a-go hero.

Plucky pensioner Edwin Brixton, 77, of Camfield Close, Basingstoke, collapsed and later died after rugby-tackling a suspected burglar on Friday morning.

Witnesses say Mr Brixton (pictuired) saw a man, who appeared to be rifling through the next-door neighbour's house, at around 10.40am. He chased him into the street, where there was a struggle during which the pensioner collapsed.

The suspected burglar then fled as horrified neighbours called for an ambulance. Mr Brixton was taken to Basingstoke hospital, where he died shortly after arriving.

He leaves a widow Iris, son Adrian and daughter Corinne.

Grieving family and friends have paid tribute to a man who had a "strong sense of right and wrong".

The former senior electrical engineer, who worked at Basingstoke manufacturing company Snamprogetti, had a history of heart problems and was set to undergo an angioplasty operation next month. He had suffered a heart attack 12 years ago and was diagnosed with angina last year.

His 39-year-old daughter said: "It was very much in his character to do what he did as he hated crime and had a strong sense of right and wrong. He got angry about things like burglaries."

Shocked residents of the cul-de-sac said nothing like the tragedy had ever happened there as it was a quiet, Neighbourhood Watch area.

Ron Fullick, of Camfield Close, helped Mr Brixton to challenge the suspected burglar.

He said: "His behaviour was of a very high order of bravery. He was a man who couldn't stand injustice."

Basingstoke council leader Brian Gurden, who lives in neighbouring Camlea Close, also paid tribute to Mr Brixton.

He said: "I was acquainted with both Edwin and his wife Iris. They were convivial neighbours who I would pass the time of day with and I would often see Edwin at his Russell Road allotment.

"He was a well-respected member of the community, and the whole episode is extraordinarily tragic.

"This community is very tight-knit and people here get to know and respect their neighbours.

"The reaction to what has happened has been one of universal shock and disbelief."