A robber who raided a shop armed with a plank of wood was forced to flee empty-handed after being punched by a staff member.

Workers at CJC Convenience Store in Norfolk Road, Gravesend, fought back after a masked man walked into the shop and demanded money, hitting the counter with a two-and-a-half metre piece of wood and making threats.

One staff member of staff, who asked not to be named, said he had been left shaken by the experience.

“He came in with this piece of wood and wearing a mask,” he said.

“You couldn’t see his face at all apart from his eyes.

“We didn’t give him anything, he was asking for money. I said ‘why?’ He smashed the wood on the counter. I punched him and he ran away.

“It was a quite scary. A bit of wood is all right, but he could have had a gun or a knife. It was all over in about 30 seconds.”

The worker feared the man could return, but said the police had done a great job, arriving within minutes of the attack.

“That day they gave a very good service,” he added.

“So thanks so much to the police. It’s a difficult job.”

The attempted robbery was partially captured on the shop’s CCTV camera and images have been released by investigating officers.

The masked man ran off in the direction of Ordnance Road afterwards, which happened between 10.20pm and 10.30pm on Wednesday last week.

Officers believe the man approached the shop from the direction of Albion Terrace and loitered outside for a short while before entering.

Anyone who saw anything or believes they may have information is asked to call police on 01474 366149 quoting reference number XY/001795/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.