A SHOP assistant bundled a balaclava-wearing would-be robber out of a shop after he demanded she fill up a bag with money.

The attempted robbery happened yesterday at Sandy B’s gifts and collectibles shop in Fir Tree Walk, Malvern.

It is not clear if the man was armed, but police reported that he had a metallic object up his sleeve.

Sandy B’s proprietor Sandy Bennett, who was not there at the time, said: “Somebody went in and demanded some money. My assistant said ‘no’ and bundled them out of the door. She is a very brave lady.

“I have spoken to her and she is very shaken.

“She does not know whether there was a weapon.”

The incident happened at 1.50pm when a man wearing a balaclava walked in, handed the shop assistant a bag and demanded she fill it with cash.

It appears that he was taken aback when the woman said no.

Sergeant Sara Goodman said: “She just did not believe it was serious, it was only afterwards that she realised how serious it was. It is as if she thought he was trick-or-treating.”

After being denied his stash, the man left the shop and walked to the car park, where a neighbouring shopkeeper approached him and said: “Did you just try and threaten the lady in the shop?”

The suspected burglar answered “no”.

When the man then asked why he was wearing a balaclava, he told him he that rode a motorbike.

A spokesman for south Worcestershire police said officers had searched the area and carried out house-to-house calls for information which may identify the man.

They were also checking CCTV of the area.

He is described as white, in his late teens, with light brown hair and a narrow face.

He was wearing dark trousers, a cream windcheater, hooded top, possibly a cap, and a balaclava.

Anyone with information can call south Worcestershire police on 0300 333 3000 and quote incident number 333S/ 131108.