A BRAVE newsagent grappled with an armed robber, ripped off his balaclava and chased him from his store.

Jayesh Palmar, of News Plus newsagents on New Hall Lane, was at work at around 6.30am on Wednesday (February 15) when the man burst in, armed with an air rifle.

He threatened and demanded money from the terrified shopkeeper.

But Mr Palmar refused to give in, and a struggle ensued, during which the mask was torn off the man's head, and he dropped the air rifle. The robber made off along Manning Road.

Police later found a knife with a ten-inch long blade outside the shop, just next to the cemetery roundabout. Police praised Mr Palmar's bravery, but warned the public against putting themselves in danger.

Detective Inspector Pat Gill of Preston CID said: "In difficult circumstances the shopkeeper has done very well indeed. He has challenged the offender successfully inside the shop. He managed to cause the offender to drop the air rifle and rip the balaclava off the man's head.

"We do not endorse the public to do this, but we do commend Mr Palmar's bravery."

Neighbours were shocked to discover their local shopkeeper had been the victim of an attempted robbery. One woman said: "The first I heard about it was when the police called round. Then I saw they had taped off the area."

Martin Keenan, who works at Hesketh Chippy, next door to News Plus, said that the chip shop had also been robbed before. But never while anyone was working there.

He said: "We were robbed ourselves three or four times last year, but only at night.

"One time the police caught someone inside after a neighbour had heard noises."

Anyone with information about this latest incident should call Preston police on 203203 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.