A BRAVE shopkeeper has told how he tackled an armed robber wearing a Scream mask as a gun was held at his head.The 36-year-old was working at the Paperhouse newsagents in Clacton when two raiders burst in.

By Annie Davidson

A BRAVE shopkeeper has told how he tackled an armed robber wearing a Scream mask as a gun was held at his head.

The 36-year-old was working at the Paperhouse newsagents in Clacton when two raiders burst in.

The pair were dressed entirely in black and wearing rubber Halloween masks made famous by the comedy horror film Scream.

One of the would-be robbers pointed what was believed to be a black pistol at the worker's head.

But the man bravely pushed the robber's arm away and began trying to pull his mask off so he could see his face.

Both raiders then fled from the Bluehouse Avenue shop as the worker and a colleague chased after them.

The attempted robbery happened at 6.45am on Saturday.

The victim, who did not want to be named, said: “I was by the door and was doing the papers ready for the paper rounds. I had my back to the door and it opened.

“There were two of them wearing black jogging suits with hoods and both were wearing Scream masks.

“One of them had a gun and pointed it at my head. I pushed his arm away and I was trying to pull off his mask as well.

“He managed to keep his head back so I could not get it and then they both slipped out the door.”

The worker and a colleague chased the pair but were unable to catch them and returned to the shop to alert the police.

He denied his actions were heroic, saying he had acted on impulse and only felt frightened afterwards.

“It was like something from the movies but it was happening in real life,” he said.

“If I had got his mask off he would be in jail by now. He is not just a danger to me but to the whole community, but he has got away with it.

“He needs to be locked up. Another time it could be an old person.”

Both robbers are estimated to be aged 18-21, 5ft 9-10ins tall and of slim build. It is not known if the gun was genuine.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Tackling armed robbers is not something we would advise of the public but this shopkeeper has without a doubt acted very bravely to try and apprehend the suspects and reveal their identities.”

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Clacton CID on 01255 221312.