A SHOPKEEPER chased three armed men out of his shop with a baseball bat when his newsagent was targeted for the second time in 12 months.

Three masked men armed with a hammer demanded money from Raja Razzaq, the owner of Alif's Self Service, in Crag Road, Shipley, when they walked into his shop at 7.25pm on Monday.

But the suspects fled empty handed when the shop assistant grabbed a weapon of his own and challenged the men.

He said: "They came in when I was serving another couple and I heard a voice say 'give me all your money'.

"I looked around and he had a hammer and he said it again.

"I grabbed my baseball bat, pressed the alarm, and they ran off."

This is the second time in a year robbers have walked into Mr Razzaq's shop, but this time they left empty-handed.

Thieves stole cigarettes and £150 in cash last year after the 67-year-old tried to fight them off.

He added: "I was waiting for customers this time and had a bit more time to think.

"The last time I struggled with them , but I didn't want a hammer hitting me on the back of my head this time.

"I'm not feeling too bad about it. 

"I feel okay and I'm back at work."

Police have released an image of the three men, who were all wearing hoodies and had covered their faces.

Anyone who can assist this investigation is asked to contact Bradford District CID on 101, quoting crime reference 13190024676, or use the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.