A HEROIC shopkeeper, who was threatened at point blank range with a sawn-off shotgun, foiled an armed robbery by refusing to hand over the contents of his till.

The plucky 36-year-old owner of C&J Stores in Winston Avenue, Branksome, managed to repel the masked man, by reaching for a torch concealed behind the till.

When the man threatened to shoot him if he did not hand over the cash, the shopkeeper told him to "go ahead and shoot", at which point the raider left empty-handed in a stolen grey F-registration Ford Escort saloon car.

Just two hours after the attempted robbery, which happened at around 4.30pm on Tuesday, the shopkeeper was back at work, shaken but defiant.

The shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said: "I took one step towards him with the torch. He had his gun up and he said 'I'll shoot you unless you give me your money'. I just said 'go on then do it' but he obviously couldn't.

"He got back to his car, which was parked outside and pointed the gun at me again, telling me he would shoot if I came any closer. He stalled his car before driving off.

"I was just shocked and was trembling for about an hour afterwards. The forensics asked me to close the shop for two hours but then I was back at work. I could not afford to take any time off because we need the money.

"Nothing like this has happened here in about 30 years, as far as I know. One member of staff who has worked here for seven years has never seen any violence at the shop.

"It is lucky that there were no kids around, because St Aldhelm's school finish at 3.30pm and they usually come in here."

The vehicle, which had been stolen from Wharfdale Service Road in Bournemouth, was discovered in Morrison Avenue the following morning. The gun was not found.

The armed man was described as being around 6ft tall, slim and wearing black leather gloves, a balaclava and a blue jacket.

Police appealed for witnesses to call 01202 222222 or crime-stoppers on 0800555111.