A 84-YEAR-OLD Penarth shopkeeper has spoken of his shock after two men attempted an armed robbery with a knife and a crowbar.

Dennis Trounce, who owns the Spar shop on Stanwell Road, said that the two men were "trying to look fierce" as they attempted to steal 200 cigarettes and a quantity of cash.

Police described the incident as a "terrifying experience" for staff and have appealed for the public's help in identifying the two men that entered the par shop on Stanwell Road on Sunday, June 1 just before 8.50pm.

A small knife and crowbar were pointed at staff and a quantity of cigarettes and cash were attempted to be taken before both men fled on foot towards Meliden Road.

Officers attended the scene and searched the area for the offenders but they were not located. The police helicopter was also despatched in a bid to find the two men.

Detectives from South Wales Police have launched an investigation and are currently carrying out a number of enquiries.

Detective Sergeant David Thomas, who is investigating the incident, said: "This was a terrifying experience for the staff”.

"We would like to hear from anyone who hasn't yet spoken with officers who were in the Spar shop or in the nearby area and witnessed what happened”.

Dennis Trounce, who has owned the shop for 25 years, said he was relieved that nothing was taken and nobody was hurt. As he pushed the two men out of the front door one of them struck his wrist, bruising him and damaging his watch.

“They looked more scary than they were,” he said.

“When they saw me they came out from behind the counter.

“One of them said ‘give us the money’.

“He said he had a knife and I said where is it then, as I couldn’t see it.

“I then barged them out and pushed them with the door.”

He added that they were both dressed in black, had face masks on, and were “trying to look fierce”.

“They dressed as menacing as they could but they weren’t that scary,” he said.

“They didn’t take anything. He did have 200 cigarettes in his hand, but I slapped them out of his hand and slammed the door on them.”

He added that he had been overwhelmed by local residents showing their support following the ordeal.

“Most people have felt the same way, as it’s a shock that these kind of things happen,” he said.

“It’s always been the same shops like these that are vulnerable.”

Anyone with information is urged to call South Wales Police on 101 or alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or email them at www.crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information.