A MAN who foiled an attempted mugging in Brynmawr was chosen to open the town's new superstore next week.

Vaughan Williams, who had previously suffered leg injuries in an accident at work, has been asked to perform the opening ceremony at Asda on Monday as the town's local hero.

The 37-year-old, who lives in Brynmawr, told the Argus he was in the town centre last year when he saw a youth grab an elderly woman's handbag.

He says the culprit was running away towards him, so he grabbed hold of him and held him on the ground.

"I held on to him until the police arrived and he was arrested.

"The lady's bag was given back to her," Mr Williams said.

Four years before Mr Williams suffered an accident at work, when he says two and a half tonnes of glass fell on him.

He now works with disabled adults at the Bert Denning Centre in the town.

"It's great to have been chosen to open the store - I was chuffed," he said.

Mr Williams will be given a preview of the new Asda, and then cut a giant till roll, along with new store manager Ray Dawson, as customers are welcomed through the doors for the first time at 9am on Monday.