A brave shopkeeper was recovering today after being pistol-whipped about the head and shoulders as he thwarted an armed robbery.

Two men armed with handguns burst into the Spar Shop in Leeds Road, Birstall, as owner Peter Caton was locking up for the night.

As one of them threatened his wife at gunpoint to hand over the shop's takings, Mr Caton bundled him out of the shop, also knocking his accomplice out of the door.

As they fell in a heap, one of the raiders repeatedly smashed his gun down on the shopkeeper's head and shoulders. They then fled empty-handed.

Today a bruised and battered Mr Caton, who needed 12 stitches in cuts to his head, said he would do the same thing again.

"When the man came in and brandished a gun at my wife over the till my instant reaction was to protect my wife, family, staff and customers," he said.

"I just took his actions as a personal insult. I tried to get between him and the counter and bundle him out. Then I realised there was another man behind him.

"It all happened so quickly and I was pistol-whipped on the head. I do remember being hit on the head and was conscious throughout.

"I didn't have time to be frightened - I didn't think about it, I just acted on my instincts."

Mr Caton's wife, Lynn, said she could not recall much of the incident because it had happened so quickly.

"When they came in, we all just froze for a moment," she said. "The man shouted 'get back, get back!' and then my husband flung him out of the shop. He knocked the lad who was with him down the steps.

"The next thing I saw was my husband on the floor and the man beating him over the head with the gun. I rang the police and an ambulance. He was very bloodied."

Mr Caton was taken by ambulance to Dewsbury District hospital for treatment for his injuries.

Both raiders were male, wore dark coloured clothing and balaclava masks and carried handguns. The first was described as being 6ft to 6ft 3ins tall, of large build, with broad shoulders and the second was 6ft tall and of medium build.

A police spokeswoman said: "This was a particularly violent incident, but while the man's actions were very brave and courageous, we wouldn't, in general, advise people to tackle individuals, but to call the police for assistance."

Anyone with information about the robbery, which happened at 11pm on Tuesday, should call Dewsbury CID on (01924) 431086.