A MASKED gunman and his accomplice were forced to flee empty-handed after a bungled raid on a store.

The pair lay in wait for the manager of the Halfords store in Princes Road, Dartford, as he locked up on Monday evening.

As the victim reached his car, which was parked in the store’s car park, a white man walked up to him and told him to go back into the store.

When the manager, who is 47 and from the Gillingham area, refused to be intimidated, the man pulled out a pistol.

When the manager still refused to do what the gunman wanted, a second man, who was black, appeared and there was a struggle between all three as the robbers tried to grab hold of the keys.

When a passer-by saw the scuffle and shouted, the two robbers ran off with just the keys to the store. The manager was unharmed.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened at 8.25pm.

Det Sgt Andy Lambert said: “Princes Road is a very busy route and it is likely that people both driving and walking past may have seen the scuffle and thought it was nothing more than that.

“We would like to hear from anyone who did witness it or has information which may help with our inquiries to find and bring these men to justice.”

The gunman was white, 5ft 8in tall and had brown hair and a short fluffy beard. He wore a grey hooded top with a pouch type pocket on the front and blue jeans.

His accomplice was black, 6ft tall and slim. He wore a black three-quarter length coat with a furry hood and collar, black trousers and a black balaclava.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Det Sgt Lambert at Gravesend police station on 01474 565203 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.