PUB customers have been hailed as heroes after taking on an armed robber.

The hapless thief burst into the Azure Blue in Bensham, Gateshead, at 10pm on Wednesday brandishing what initially appeared to be a handgun and demanded money.

He fled with the cash and property, but several people in the pub gave chase and detained the man after a struggle. They found he had been carrying a ball bearing gun.

Detective Inspector Graham Rolands said: "We have one person in custody.

"Customers were very brave, very heroic, because these replica guns look like real firearms."

Paul Davies, 29, who was at home in Eastbourne Avenue, described hearing heard shouting and banging.

He said: "There were loads of people running around and people had hold of a kid.

"There were a few around him and everyone was shouting and bawling.

"They were pressing him up against the wall of the pub, standing around him to make sure he didn't move."

A 25-year-old man was last night helping police with their inquiries.