A shopkeeper fought off an armed robber with a stool after being threatened at knifepoint today.

The robber entered the A and Y Stores, on the corner of Broad Street and Gatteridge Street, in Banbury, at about 10.15am and threatened the shopkeeper with a large kitchen knife while ordering him to open the till.

Police said the shopkeeper refused and used a stool to defend himself - pushing the robber out of the shop.

The man then fled on a black mountain bike down Gatteridge Street towards Britannia Road.

The attacker is described as white, aged in his early 20s, about 5ft 7in tall, with a slender build and wearing a dark-coloured woolly hat, a dark scarf pulled up to cover his face, a light-coloured jacket and dark trousers.

Dc Jason Simpson, of Banbury CID, said: "In this case the robber left empty-handed because of the instinctive actions of the shopkeeper.

"We are concerned this thief may try to rob another store in the near future, so it is vital we find him.

"If you were in the Broad Street / Gatteridge Street area this morning and saw anything, or if you have any other information, please get in touch."

Call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.