A PLUCKY shopkeeper has spoken of his shock after he sent a gun-toting, masked robbery gang packing after telling them police were on their way.

The three would-be robbers, one brandishing a dark handgun, burst into Purewal and Son Off Licence and General Store in Manchester Road, Bradford, late in the evening, and demanded cash and cigarettes from the lone shopkeeper, Kuldeep Purewal.

But they turned and fled empty-handed when he told them he had called the police.

Detectives praised the shopkeeper's grit and determination, and cool head.

Mr Purewal said the incident at the shop lasted for "about two or three minutes".

Speaking last night, he said: "I'm still a bit shocked now.

"I was shocked when it happened. I couldn't think about anything that I needed to do.

"I just tried to hide away in the back room.

"I just said to them that I was going to ring the police.

"It's the first time anything like this has happened.

"They didn't come round the other side of the counter."

A police spokesman said three men, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, entered the store at about 8.40pm on Wednesday and made demands for the money and packets of cigarettes.

One of the suspects was holding what appeared to be a dark handgun, which he used to threaten the shopkeeper.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Bradford District CID, said: "We believe that someone will have seen these men as they ran from the store and I would urge anyone who may have seen them, or seen some suspicious activity in the Manchester Road area around that time to contact Bradford District CID on 101."

The man with the gun is described as about 6ft tall, slim, with a red scarf or handkerchief covering his face and wearing gloves.

The second suspect was also slim, 5ft 8ins tall, in his late teens or early 20s, wearing black trousers, gloves and a black hooded to, with a black scarf covering his face.

The third man was white, about 5ft 6ins tall, slim, in his late teens or early 20s, wearing a black hooded top and gloves, but his face was uncovered.

Anyone with information can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.