A brave shopkeeper today told how he fought robbers before they ransacked his till.

Erol Dolay, the owner of Perry's Minimart in Church Street, Harwich, said he grappled with one of the men when he realised his shop was about to be raided. He said: "They began threatening me and the young woman working in the store, and I just decided to fight back.

"I just thought to myself What are you monkeys doing here?', and I began punching and hitting one of the men."

Police are appealing for witnesses who were in the area at about Tuesday at 9.30pm to contact them. Two men are helping police with their inquiries following the incident. Another man has been bailed pending further inquiries.

  • Anyone with information should call Harwich police on 01255 241312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.