Teenage gardener becomes superhero at night

Meet Roger Hayhurst - a gardener by day and a crime-fighting superhero by night.

The 19-year-old walks the streets of Salford, Greater Manchester, dressed up as his alter ego Knight Warrior and tackling anti-social behaviour.

Hayhurst spent £200 on a blue and black custom-made costume, which his mum helped him buy from a firm in America so that he could fulfil his dream of doing some "good in the world".

"When people see me coming up it does tend to stun them into silence," he told the Manchester Evening News. "I just carry on trying to get them to calm down, and eventually most of them do.

"If I think things are getting a bit hairy, I just back off and phone the police. They know what I am doing and have been very kind to me."

Hayhurst added: "Some of my friends think I am a bit odd, but all I want to do is try and get people to like each other. I just want to do good in the world, that's all."

Hayhurst, who lives with his mother Jennifer and grandfather Alfred, said that his main aim is to sort out rows between people coming out of pubs or simply fighting on the streets.

He also hands out clothing and food parcels to the homeless in Manchester City Centre.

Jennifer admitted that she was always "slightly worried" when her son went out - usually between 9pm and 2am - but understands his desire to help.

"His absolute genuineness is his best defence," she commented. "He is one of the kindest young men I know."


/Digital Spy/