This is the dramatic moment a shop boss leapt into action to tackle a suspected armed robber.

CCTV footage shows the store owner of Twydall Premier wrestling with the alleged thief during an attempted robbery.

The husband and wife owners, who did not want to be named, told KentOnline a hooded man waited in line with around five other customers.

He then whipped out a pistol which he showed to the Post office counter worker at their shop in Twydall Green during the incident which happened yesterday (December 10) at around 2.50pm.

According to the store, the man demanded the cashier hand over the money in his staff till.

The owners, who have run the shop in the parade for three years, were standing at the other side of the shop at the time when they were alerted to the alleged theft by another customer.

In the footage they can both be seen rushing across the shop before exiting the frame.

They then reappear with the boss wrestling the alleged thief who appears to be holding a pistol.

A wine bottle drops during the skirmish and the man flees the scene empty-handed.

The shop owner’s wife told KentOnline: “At the time it was not frightening but around five minutes later it hit me and it is very frightening to think about that this happened in our shop.

“It was a very busy time for us so we were not looking at the cameras.

“But when we were told we went over and as I went around the corner I accidentally bumped into him as he tried to leave.

“He was quite short around 5ft 5 and he had a hood and mask on so we couldn’t make out who it was.

“I called the police straight away and they arrived pretty quickly.

“Something like this has never happened before.”

Other businesses in the shopping outlet off of Waltham Road have spoken of their shock as they heard of the attempted robbery.

Tharshan Nadarsa, who owns the Twydall Fried Chicken and Peri Peri next door, said he saw around seven police vehicles, armed officers and dogs searching around the block.

He said: “I don’t know what happened but it sounds scary especially as it happened next door.”

Meanwhile, Lewis King who owns Medway Tackle Supplies a few doors down says he is also concerned.

The 33-year-old added: “I had quite a few people in the shop and one of who had come in said that there were police around.

“That was the first of what I knew about it as I didn’t hear any sirens.

“It's not nice to think that it could have been any of our shops as I don’t know what my reaction would be.

“My labrador wouldn’t be much help I don’t think.”

Twydall Café worker Mr Lee, who did not want to give his first name, said it was “worrying” considering some shops are only manned by a single person.

He did not see the incident as he had left by that point but suggested that a radio system be introduced so that those people working on their own had a direct line to the police and other shop owners in the area for future emergencies.

Police confirmed patrols, including armed officers attended but the suspect had left prior to their arrival.

Nobody was harmed during the incident and a search of the area was carried out.

Investigators are continuing to appeal to any witnesses to contact the appeal line on 01634 792209, quoting reference 10-0790.