This is the shocking moment a hero shop worker fought off a knife-wielding robber with his bare hands after the thug threatened a female colleague.

The masked crook stole cash and cigarettes during the raid at Gedney Newsagent in Market Place, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire.

CCTV shows the thug entering the shop just after 5.30am on March 29 and asking to buy cigarettes.

As the female worker places the pack on the counter, the thief waves a large knife in her direction before grabbing cash from the till.

Another member of staff bravely charges at the offender and appears to try and punch and slap him despite the robber holding a blade.

The thief then flees the shop as the woman behind the till calls police on her mobile phone.

Detectives have released CCTV of the robbery and say they hope someone will recognise the robber from his unusual walk.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said: ‘Although the man has his face covered, we believe he has a unique gait and maybe someone will recognise the clothing he is wearing.

The amazing moment the shop worker charges towards the knifeman with his fists up

He stands up to the knifeman, attempting to throw punches and causes the robber to flee

‘Shortly after 5.30am a man wearing a black face covering, a black jacket with his hood up and two-tone grey trousers appears to threaten a women behind the counter in the newsagents with a knife.

‘He was handed cash and cigarettes before fleeing from the store in the direction of West Street, Long Sutton.

‘We are grateful to the people who called in with information following our first appeal and we are working on other lines of inquiry as a result.

‘However, the identity of the man remains unknown and we are appealing for our communities help to identify him.’

Anyone with information can contact police online or by telephone on 101, quoting incident 71 of 29 March.