AN elderly shopkeeper who fought off a hooded thief during an early morning raid said last night he was only protecting his family’s livelihood.

Mohinder Devgan, 75, was sorting through newspapers at the Lateshopper, in Proudfoot Drive, Bishop Auckland, at about 6am yesterday when he was confronted by a masked man saying he had a gun and demanding money.

As the offender jumped over the counter, Mr Devgan fought him off using an iron shutter pole.

The thief hit Mr Devgan with a broom handle, then fled with a box containing about £200, which staff had saved for a Christmas party.

Mr Devgan, who was shaken, but unhurt during the incident, said he was simply protecting the shop, which is owned by his sons, Raj and Sanjeev.

Mr Devgan said: “It was a bit of a shock, but I wasn’t afraid at all. Anyone who had a gun would point it and not say it.

“I did it for my children.

Why should I let him take anything?

“His eyes were red, and even when I hit him with the pole, he did not try to fight me.

He was stupid.”

Mr Devgan’s son, Sanjeev, added: “My father is a strong man. He was a bit shocked, but kept assuring everyone he was okay.

“We will catch the thief. The store is monitored by CCTV.”

The store was sealed off for several hours after the incident while forensic investigations were carried out.

Detective Sergeant Mark Willoughby, of Bishop Auckland CID, said: “There were no customers inside when the robber entered the shop.

“He callously attacked the elderly victim with a broomshank but, although he claimed to have a gun, he did not display one.”

The robber was in his early 20s, about 5ft 9in, and wore a hood similar to those worn under motorcycle helmets.

Anyone with information about the incident has been asked to call police on 0345-60- 60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.