A newsagent who foiled an armed robbery by wielding a stick at a gang of thugs has spoken of being held up at knifepoint.

Tom Smith was threatened by three men who charged into his store and demanded money.

The 57-year-old, who runs Keadby News and Post on Station Road, fell to the floor after he was sprayed with chemicals for refusing to hand over cash.

But the suspects fled the scene after he got to his feet clutching a large stick.

The three men sped off in a Mini Cooper, which was later found abandoned on Neville Close, Althorpe.

And the sub-postmaster has told the Telegraph that he was determined not to give in to the men.

Mr Smith said: "It happened in a minute and I just thought they were local lads.

"By the time I realised they weren't, I saw they had a big knife.

"It takes you back a little bit but then the adrenaline kicks in – and the anger that says 'they are not going to do it to me'.

"That was when they sprayed me but still, when I went down, I thought they were not going to do anything to me.

"I picked up a big wooden stick and when I came up, they ran off.

"I think they didn't really think about it and they hadn't thought it out properly, I am glad to say."

Mr Smith said the ordeal, which happened at 5am on Monday, January 30, would not put him off running the shop.

He said: "Being confronted with a knife would worry anyone, but it was the first time it has happened in the nine years I have been here and they were just opportunists.

"They didn't get anything apart from one packet of cigarettes and they soon ran off when I jumped up with the stick.

"I wouldn't want it to happen again and it has never happened before.

"I think it is a sign of the times and people are getting desperate."

Neighbour Richard Crabb, 26, of Station Road, said: "I just think it is completely sickening.

"I use the shop every day and it has got a cash machine in there for us. It is handy for the Post Office as well."

A spokesman for Humberside Police said the force was investigating the incident, as well as a burglary in Eastfield Road, Epworth, which happened between midnight and 4.50am on Monday, January 30.

A Mini Cooper similar to the vehicle used in the incident in Keadby was among the items stolen from the property.

Detectives are now keen to speak to anybody who may have seen a light-coloured Mini Cooper being driven around the Epworth or Keadby areas in the early hours of that morning.

The spokesman said: "An investigation into this incident has been launched and we will be looking into any connections with other similar offences which have occurred around North Lincolnshire and the surrounding areas.

"We are asking for help from the public in trying to identify the three white males involved."

Anybody with information relating to either the burglary or the incident in Keadby should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting log number 55 of Monday, January 30.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.