A POSTMASTER'S lunchtime turned into a life or death drama as he foiled a would-be robber. Harry Singh, 56, told how a man doused him in petrol and threatened to set him alight if he didn't hand over money.

Mr Singh, who has run the post office in Main Road, Hoo, near Rochester, for 20 years, said: "I was closing for lunch on Thursday when a man came to the door and asked to come in. I had already locked up but opened the shop to let him in. I don't like turning people away.

"He threw petrol over my clothes and said he would set me on fire if I didn't give him the money. I told him he wasn't getting anything."

Mr Singh was in the shop alone but his 16-year-old son Benjender was upstairs so he shouted to him for help.

Mr Singh said: "I told him to call the police while I grabbed hold of the man and held on to him. He had a bag but whether he had a lighter or weapons in it, I don't know. I had him by the neck but as he started to struggle, I decided to take him outside and hold him down on the path.

"There were people watching and he threw a few punches, so I did too but I kept him there until the people nearby said to let him go, as the police were on the way and he couldn't get very far."

The raider then made his way to his car in a nearby car park but quick-thinking motorists blocked his way as he tried to escape. Despite their efforts, he ploughed through, damaging cars as he fled the scene.

After the attempted robbery, Mr Singh was taken to hospital to have a cut on his head dressed. He was discharged later that day.

He returned to work on Friday.

"The shop was very busy with people coming in to see how I was and the phone didn't stop ringing with people asking if I was alright.

"It's lovely. But I am OK and it is business as usual. There was no way he was going to get away with anything without a fight."

A police spokesman said yesterday that inquiries were ongoing.

Officers are appealing for help to find the man who is described as in his 50s, grey and balding. He was wearing a black leather jacket. He was driving a white Ford Orion with the registration number J176 SRD.

Anyone with information should call Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.