IS IT a bird? Is it a plane? No. it's a man dressed as Superman being arrested after tangling with a guardian of law and order during a night out with fellow caped crusader Bananaman.

The crime-fighting superhero was lifted by officers at the Walkergate complex in Durham City in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Special Inspector Philip Salkeld said: “We had been on foot patrol. There has been a disturbance between two males and we have gone over to split it up and he has thrown a couple of punches at me."

Despite the man of steel's fearsome reputation, Inspector Salkeld said: “They have connected on the end of the chin and my shoulder. They were not that hard so I have got no injuries.

“He was dressed in a jump suit with a cape. Bananaman was with him as well.”

A 28-year-old man from the Durham area has been arrested and charged with a public order offence.

He is due to appear before magistrates at Peterlee in January.

A post on the Durham City Facebook page said: “Is it a bird? is it a plane?

“No it's Superman in handcuffs with his hands behind his back being loaded into a police van.”

Bananaman could not be contacted for comment last night.