A BRAVE shopkeeper forced two gun-wielding raiders to flee after overpowering them.

Waqas Sameer wrestled the gun away from the would-be robbers - and turned it on them.

The startled masked thugs escaped empty-handed from the Hulme convenience store on Stretford Road, Old Trafford shortly after 7.45pm on Tuesday, with shop manager Waqas in pursuit.

Twenty-four-year-old Waqas - whose father Mohammed owns the shop - said: "They came in and pointed a gun at me and said give us all your money'.

"At first I thought it was a joke, but when I realised it wasn't, my first instinct was to get the gun.

"I grabbed for the gun and although they punched me about five times in the face, I got the gun and turned it on them."

Waqas, who is married to Zofshan, added: "I was scared but I work hard and I wasn't just going to give people my money.

"Some people have said I shouldn't have done it as I am married and my wife is pregnant, but I thought if I don't stop them they will come back."

The men ran in the direction of Cornbrook Street and School Walk. They are described as white, and were wearing balaclavas and dark clothing.

It is the second raid at the shop this year. A few months ago two armed robbers put a machete to the neck of Waqas' cousin, Shakil Ahmed, and escaped with the takings.

Anyone who witnessed the attempted robbery on Tuesday or has any information should phone Trafford CID on 0161 856 7669 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.