UPDATE: 3.06pm

AN Abertillery shop owner insists he is no hero after standing up to two would-be robbers in his store, forcing them to leave empty handed.

Harsharan Singh was working in Rite Stop/Premier on Powell Street when two males entered the store with what is believed to be a wooden chair leg at around 8.20pm last night.

After a stand-off between Mr Singh and the unknown assailants, the pair ran from the store after the shopkeeper refused to give into their demands.

“It wasn’t like a wrestling match between us – one told me to ‘get down on the ground’ but I just stood my ground,” said Mr Singh.

“Once I realised they were not joking, I shouted at them and they very quickly left the store without anything.”

Mr Singh believes that the duo had not thought their plan through.

“I think that they had some sort of wooden leg from a chair or table which they were trying to use as some sort of a weapon,” he said.

“But it was not a pre-planned robbery - they didn't tell me what they wanted, one of them wasn’t even wearing gloves which means he’s left finger prints and he didn’t cover his face.”

Mr Singh has CCTV in his store and has shown the evidence to the police to help with their enquiries in catching the would-be thieves.

The store owner lives above his shop with his sister, moving to the area from Pontypridd in April this year to take over the Abertillery business.

“I have experienced this before but not in this area – even the police said that it was quite rare for the town,” said Mr Singh.

“It was just two young guys in their twenties trying to get their hands on some money but they ran off very quickly once I shouted at them.”

Gwent Police are appealing for information about the incident which can be reported to them by calling 101 quoting log 430 24/11/15.

UPDATE: 10am

GWENT Police are investigating an attempted robbery which took place at the Rite Stop Shop on Powell Street yesterday evening in Abertillery.

Two men, who were carrying what is believed to be a wooden chair leg, entered the shop at around 8.25pm and attempted to get behind the counter.

But they were challenged by a member of staff and left empty handed. Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to call 101 quoting log 430 24/11/15.