A GUTSY shopkeeper fought off a masked raider who walked into his grocery store and demanded money from the till.

The balaclava-clad robber swung a stick over his head as he tried to force Mohammed Zaman to hand over takings at Starkie Street Off Licence and Grocers in Darwen.

But the shop boss disarmed the bungling bandit in a struggle and he ran off empty handed.

Mr Zaman, who runs the shop with his brother Nazher, said: "I'd only been open for half and hour when the man walked in. He was wearing a balaclava and all I could see was his eyes.

"He had the stick above his head and was shouting 'give me the money'.

"I was afraid but I decided to try and get the stick off him.

"He was at the side of my counter so I told him to wait then grabbed the stick. We struggled and he fled."

A shelf broke and bottles fell to the floor in the struggle.

Detective Sergeant Chris Hughes, who is leading the hunt for the raider, said: "The shopkeeper reacted in a brave way. Thankfully nobody was hurt and the offender ran away empty handed. We would like to hear from anybody with information."

Mr Zaman said: "I wouldn't give him the money, but it's not something I would advise women or frail people to do.

"I tried to catch him but he managed to get away down the back alley at the side of the shop."

The offender was white, about 5ft 9in, with a local accent and was wearing a grey top and black trousers.

Anybody with information about the incident at 9.45am on Sunday should call Darwen Police on 01254 701777.

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