A VALLEYS shop worker fought off an armed robber who smashed him round the head with a metal bar.

Vikas Singh, affectionately known as Vicky, was working in the Spar in Fleur De Lys on Monday at around 4pm when a man walked in brandishing a 3ft metal bar, demanding cash from the till.

When Mr Singh, 25, refused, the robber told him to hand over his phone before cracking him round the head with the metal bar, connecting behind Mr Singh's left ear and causing extensive bruising and swelling.

The shop assistant still refused to give him anything and fought him off by throwing a stool at the robber from behind the counter while the man swung the metal bar at him another three or four times while he dodged the attack.

The robber also hit the Lotto scratchcard dispenser before ripping the electronic till off the counter and fleeing the shop with it.

A passer by called the police when they heard Mr Singh calling for help.

Despite being taken by ambulance to Newport's Royal Gwent Hospital for an X-ray, Mr Singh was back in work at 9am the following day and said he feels fine.

"I've been OK working today. I was happy to come back to work today, I asked the man in the ambulance if it was alright."

People from the village have been calling in to wish him well and ask how he's doing, someone also brought him a get well soon card.

He said when the robber walked in, he thought it was a joke, until the attack happened. "I was scared - when he hit me, it hurt a lot," he added.

Two men, a 27-year-old from New Tredegar and a 22-year-old from Blackwood, have been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Mr Singh said: "All of the customers have been asking how I was. My customers have been really good."

Gwent Police are asking anyone with information about the robbery to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.