Brave shopkeepers fought off an armed robber who attacked two Colchester stores within the space of an hour.

In the first raid at Winnock Road sub-post office in New Town a raider armed with an iron bar threatened the sub-postmaster and his son.

But instead of handing over the cash as he demanded, they grappled with him in an attempt to restrain him until police arrived.

Det Sgt Roger Napier, of Colchester police, said: "They had a tussle with this robber and at one stage managed to pin him to the ground. But he escaped and ran off."

The sub-postmaster's son chased the raider and caught up with him a short way down the street.

Det Sgt Napier said: "He stopped and turned and said: 'Get back, I've got a gun,' and tapped his pocket. He then ran off but there was no sighting of a gun."

Despite the struggle the sub-postmaster and his son were uninjured. Yesterday the sub-postmaster, who did not wish to be named, said he did not think they were particularly brave.

"It is an everyday occurrence in this town," he said.

"What happened yesterday is all done and dusted. We are both all right and getting back to normal," he added.

Just 40 minutes later at 6.20pm on Wednesday the man struck again at News Plus in East Street.

He threatened the husband and wife team behind the counter with a carving knife but they hit the panic alarm and he again made off empty-handed.

Det Sgt Napier said: "These are brave people. But it is not something we would recommend someone to do, to tackle an armed robber, because you don't know what is going to happen."

He added: "These are the acts of a desperate man. Because he failed twice, you certainly can't rule out the possibility that he may strike again so we are anxious to catch him before he has another opportunity."

In the first attack, the robber is described as a black man, 5ft 9ins tall with short cropped hair and wearing a black padded jacket.

In the second, he is described as about 5ft 11ins, of medium build, aged 25-30, with short Afro hair, thin face, clean shaven and was wearing beige trousers and a cream jacket.

In both robberies, a dark saloon car was seen, possibly a Renault Clio or a Toyota.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

The two stores hit by the would-be robber: right, Winnock Road sub-post office in New Town, and left, News Plus in East Street

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