This is the moment when a terrified York shopper came face to face with a gunman in a robbery bid on a city store.

The drama, captured on CCTV, shows a raider pointing his gun at a Post Office counter in a supermarket as the astounded shopper looks on.

Two men raided the Spar supermarket in Huntington Road, one armed with handgun, the other with a slab of concrete.

The photo was taken from a security video which shows the man entering the Post Office, threatening staff and customers and attempting to smash the security shield.

The shocking image gives an accurate reflection of the frightening raid, according to DI Phil Metcalfe of York CID.

He said today: "The men were threatening and verbally abusive to staff and customers. Their actions in trying to gain entry to the secure area were extremely aggressive."

Staff at the store faced down the robbers, who eventually fled empty-handed. They have already won praise from York police for their courage.

Today Spar's area manager Catherine Mahoney added her words of admiration: "I think they were fantastic," she said.

"They acted very commendably, well beyond the call of their normal duties. We will give them all the support and counselling they need.

"No-one is physically hurt, but the staff are still suffering from the shock and trauma of the incident. A number have not yet returned to work."

The Huntington Road store reopened this morning having been closed yesterday for repair of the security screen.

Police have released composite descriptions of the two robbers.

They are described as being in their late teens or early twenties, both white males wearing blue jackets, blue jeans, black woollen gloves, training shoes and dark balaclavas.

The man who held the gun is described as 5ft 11in - 6ft tall and slim. The man who threw the rock is described as 5ft 5in - 5ft 8in. He was wearing a red baseball cap on top of his balaclava.

Following the robbery, the men were driven away in a white Toyota Celica, registration number L520 PWW, stolen from Harrogate before Christmas.

The vehicle was abandoned at the back of the site of the old Bookers store on Huntington Road. Police are anxious to trace a driving instruction vehicle which was believed to be in the area behind the store at around 5pm.

Anyone with information should contact York police on 01904 631321 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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