Police are seeking witnesses to the failed raid on the Skipton Road shop, where three men wearing balaclavas brandished an imitation firearm and possibly a knife at the man's wife, who was alone at the front counter.

Her husband, who was in the rear room at the time, heard the commotion and tackled the man with the gun.

Det. Insp. Sion Hall said: "The lady owner heard the door go and was looking down when the men entered the shop. When she looked up one of them threatened her with what she thought was a knife and wanted money from the till.

"Her husband came through from the back and two of the hooded males legged it out of the shop. The third had a gun and the husband courageously wrestled him to the ground and removed his balaclava in a scuffle on the floor.

"The offender managed to get away without stealing anything but left behind the imitation firearm, which if it was pointed at you you'd think was real."

The men are not thought to be local as they were unsure where the counter was in the small shop. Anyone who saw the three men running from the scene, or saw a suspicious vehicle in the area, are asked to contact Nelson CID on 472644 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.