A SHOPKEEPER whose store was ram-raided found himself face to face with balaclava-clad thieves.

The incident happened at The Country Store, in Walters Ash, in the early hours on Saturday morning last week.

Paul Oram, who runs the family-owned grocery shop, said his 20-year-old son heard the thieves trying to gain entry to the front of the shop by ramming the doors.

He was woken up by his son who heard the alarm sounding as the thieves attempted to batter down the front door of the shop in a stolen car.

Mr Oram added: "We chased down into the shop without giving it a second thought, I was still in my pyjamas and bare feet.

My son did the same but at least he had his slippers on.

"I came down here and switched on the lights at which point a chap with a balaclava leapt over the till and made a break for the car and off they went."

The raid was the second time in less than a year that the shop has been targeted after thieves failed to gain entry in a similar incident last year.

The Country Store is equipped with a sophisticated alarm system that has a direct link to local police stations.

Mr Oram said his wife had seen the thieves make their escape and believes that there were at least three men involved in the raid.

When asked if he was angry with the damage caused to his shop, Mr Oram, said the raid "was just one of those things."

The thieves escaped with a small quantity of cigarettes.

Anyone with information should call police on 01494 465888, or Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111