Faced with two knife-wielding robbers most people would run for cover - but not this man armed only with his footwear. The petrol station worker needed just one shoe to fend the men off and send them packing after they stormed the shop early on Saturday in Westhoughton, Greater Manchester. One of the robbers lunged at the unnamed member of staff twice with a knife but he bravely stood his ground and despite being stabbed, fended off the blows. He then picked up a glass jar as extra defence against the men. As they backed off, he even chased them out of the shop and across the forecourt at the Mercury Service Station at 1.20am. The victim suffered two puncture wounds to his arm and later needed 12 stitches. The man with the knife was about 6ft tall, of medium build and in his early to mid-20s. His accomplice was about 5ft 9in tall and of medium build. Both offenders were black. Detectives are appealing to a woman who walked into the store seconds before the incident and is likely to have witnessed the whole encounter. Detective Constable Malcolm Cheetham said: 'This man's heroic actions meant that these thieves were able to get away empty handed, but for his trouble he was wounded. 'We will do all we can to find the men responsible. 'We are appealing for witnesses, but in particular we need to hear from the woman who walked in only moments before but didn't stick around to give the police her account, probably because she was so shaken up. 'We need to find out everything that she may have heard or seen, including before the robbery. We urge her to get in touch as soon as possible.' Earlier this month two career criminals were jailed after their jewellery shop raid was thwarted by townsfolk who banded together in Grimsby, Lincolnshire this June. Passers-by kicked over their motorbike as they smashed cabinets in Eastgate Jewellers. A retired businessman stood his ground after one of the robbers stabbed him in the eyebrow, passers-by swiped the keys to their getaway vehicle and a travel agent yelled: 'Who do you think you are, Bonnie and Clyde?' The pair wore motorbike helmets, and were armed with claw hammers and a knife. Blog : http://patrynworldlatestnews.blogspot.com/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/patryn.worldlatestnews

• published: 16 Sep 2013
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