A SHOPKEEPER disarmed a robber wearing a dressing gown who brandished an air rifle and demanded vodka.

The woman went in to the Garden Village Store, Sough Lane, Darwen, around 8.30pm on Tuesday.

She brandished an air rifle and demanded more booze from a member of staff.

However, the employee and a customer managed to disarm her and restrain the woman.

Next door neighbour Stephen Black, a 39-year-old metal polisher told of the moment he reacted instinctively by ‘jumping on the woman’ and helping the shopkeeper.

He said: “I just walked in to see the shopkeeper struggling with the woman and there was two bottles of vodka on the counter.

"I jumped on her and the gun fell over the other side of the counter.

“I just thought ‘this isn’t Darwen’. Afterwards I realised it was quite a frightening experience.”

A woman was later arrested by police.

One eye-witness, called Steve Hartley, 43, walked into the shop amidst the chaotic scenes.

He said: “I just wanted a packet of crisps and a drink before the shop shut. But when I arrived there was a group of kids milling around who told me ‘don’t go in there, there’s a woman with a gun.’ "They were very scared.

“I didn’t believe them at first.

“I didn’t see her pull out the rifle, but could see her at the counter with another man. I was quite shocked because this is just my local store."

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said the arrested woman was still in custody on Wednesday after being arrested on suspicion of robbery. The gun turned out to be unloaded.

Detective Sergeant Rob Anderson praised the two men and said: “Their actions were extremely courageous and the response of officers on duty was swift and effective.”