AN elderly couple foiled an armed robbery at their Atherton shop when they rammed a wheelchair into a robber.

A 70-year-old shopkeeper was working at Taylors convenience store, on the Hag Fold Estate when she spotted a man acting suspiciously.

The robber, armed with a kitchen knife, pulled his hood down and top up to conceal his face, held a satchel out and said: "Put the money in the bag."

The quick-thinking woman snatched the robber's bag while her husband grabbed hold of a wheelchair which belonged to his wife and rammed it into the robber. He ran to the back of the shop, into the store room and fled the shop empty handed.

Another robber standing in the front doorway of the shop and armed with a hand gun also fled the scene.

Today police officers praised her actions but said shopkeepers should not put themselves in danger and resist robbers.

Acting Sergeant Helen Knowles, said: "It was very courageous what the couple did, especially because they are in their 70s. But we would not recommend challenging a robber."

The robber armed with a kitchen knife is described as white, 6ft, and wore a dark hooded top and trousers. The second robber is white, 5ft and wore a light top and trousers.

The incident happened at 3pm last Friday at the shop on Spa Road.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 7118 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.