A SHOPKEEPER told a machete-wielding robber to stop being stupid before using a bundle of newspapers to chase the masked man out of a village store.

A robber armed with a 12 inch long machete-style knife entered the Little Shopper in Evenwood, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, at about 7.50pm on Monday (December 16) and demanded shopkeepers Mike Barnes and Wendy Swords hand over their money.

Mrs Swords said the robber then slashed at the shop counter twice, the blade connecting just two feet away from her, but Mr Barnes refused and threw a bundle of newspapers at the robber who then fled.

She said: “It only lasted about ten seconds but it felt like ten minutes.

“We just went into automatic mode, he demanded we give him the money, Mike said no and told him to stop being so stupid, he threw the papers at him and the robber ran out.

“We always said that if we got robbed we would not hand anything over, we would fight for the shop and the money that we worked so hard to get.”

Mr Barnes followed the robber outside and saw him get into a silver car which was driven away by a second person.

He noted the number plate and handed it over to police.

The pair have run the shop on West View for 12 years, and although they have been left traumatised, Mrs Swords said they had no intention of closing the business.

She said: “It was horrible, I keep seeing the machete hitting the counter, but I know it will get better.”

The robber was wearing a green waterproof coat and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

Detective Sergeant Andy Reynolds said: “This was a disturbing crime which left the shop workers shocked.

“Evenwood is a safe place to live and a crime of this nature here is very unusual.

“We are sure people in the community will have information which will help us with this enquiry and I would urge them to get in touch.”

Information can be reported to DS Reynolds on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the offence and has been released on bail pending further inquiries.