Bingo player, Alexander Cowan, has been reported as a HERO after tackling a gang of six that were assaulting another man, despite his own health concerns.

Alexander, a janitor had been warned by doctors to take it easy, having only been diagnosed with diabetes a month earlier. Seeing the intimidating group who had just taken a mans glasses and were assaulting him in an underpass in Edinburgh, Mr Cowan jumped to the mans aid. "I'd just had enough," he said. "I was sick of guys like that running around the streets as if they ruled the roost."

Initially things didn't go as planned, as the gang turned their attention on the elderly gentlemen knocking him down "I ran straight over, and was knocked to the ground at first and then my wife faced them down as I got up."

However the gang members underestimated his courage and determination and he was soon on his feet fighting back. "They weren't expecting it and I nearly put a couple of them in hospital. Five then ran off and I managed to keep one there until the police came."

"They're not the brightest guys in the world and as the police came down one of the five walked right past so I was able to point him out."

While only 5ft 6in, Mr Cowan, may have seemed harmless to the gang members but little did they know of his secret. "I'm not the biggest guy in the world, but I've done a bit of boxing in the past, so I just fought back."

The incident had occured in February 2009 as the hero was walking home from bingo with his wife. As they approached the subway the couple, from Fountainbridge, witnessed a man in his 20s get assaulted "for no reason at all".

It was later reported that the gang members were part of a larger group of around 20 individuals that had taken to the streets that night attacking random passers-by and causing damage to property.

The Police themselves warned Mr Cowan of the dangers he had risked and suggested that some of the group had weapons. But Alexander, admits that although he did not think of the risks he has no regrets and would do it again: "I didn't know that at the time and you don't think," he added. "I'd only been diagnosed with diabetes a few weeks before and my doctor told me not to exert myself. But I wanted to, they'd set upon this guy for no good reason. I don't think enough people get involved when things like this take place. You see it all the time, they just walk straight past, but I'd do it again."

The Police were so impressed with the heroic acts that they put him forward for the prestigious St Andrew's Award for bravery. The Brave@Heart awards ceremony took place at Edinburgh Castle and were presented by First Minister Alex Salmond. The ceremony recognised 50 people across the country for similar feats of which a handful like Mr Cowan were presented the St Andrew's accolade.

The HERO was was not expected to be nominated for an award for his actions: "It was a real surprise, it was months later when I got the call because the police had nominated me. You don't expect it, but it's a nice thing for them to do."