Friends and family of an armed robber who died two days after being restrained by a member of the public have raised more than £1,500 for his family.

Father-of-two Shane Bryant, 29, of Birmingham, and a friend robbed a Co-Op store in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, while wielding a golf club and baseball bat on Thursday night.

As the pair tried to flee the scene, a 24-year-old man restrained Bryant and the robber's accomplice mounted the pavement in his Audi in an unsuccessful attempt to free his friend.

After police arrested Bryant, he was 'taken ill' and was rushed to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he died on Saturday.

Since then a JustGiving page has been set up to raise cash for his two children, with £1,592 raised so far.

The 24-year-old man who captured Bryant on his exit from the shop was arrested for his efforts on suspicion of grievous bodily harm but has since been released pending further enquiries.

Shane Bryant, 29, from Birmingham, died two days after robbing a Co-Op store in Ashby with a friend

Leicestershire Police said Bryant, who had robbed a Co-op store in Ashby-de-la Zouch, had taken ill after being held by a passer-by. He died two days later in hospital

The father's death has sparked a vicious debate as friends and family call for the man who stopped Bryant to be prosecuted while dozens of others consider the member of the public a hero, labelling Bryant's death an 'occupational hazard'.

Some on social media have accused the 24-year-old of 'kicking Bryant in the head' while others said his injuries were not natural.

Bryant's friend Sharon Larvin, 48, from Birmingham said: 'I don't really know a lot, all I know is that Shane's injuries were not caused through a cardiac arrest.

'I hope the men coming who killed Shane get everything they deserve. I know he shouldn't have been doing what he was doing but he never killed anyone.

'His injuries were horrendous, they must've killed him and someone will be responsible for his death.

'Shane was a fit and healthy 29-year-old lad, I don't believe he could've died of a cardiac arrest. He was beaten to death by the good people of Ashby.'

Serina Larvin set up the JustGiving page after Bryant died in 'unexpected circumstances'.

Bryant's family and friends have defended him and called for the man who battered him to be prosecuted

In a post on the page she wrote: 'He [Bryant] left behind two small children and a absolutely heartbroken family.

'I thought it would be nice to raise some money to give to his children and help support the family in any way possible.'

One donor called Ricky Walker made a contribution of £1,000.

But others have criticised the fundraising and claimed Bryant does not deserve such efforts because he was a criminal.

Meanwhile, Facebook user Roy Alan wrote: 'You'll forgive me of course if I feel absolutely no pity for this robbing criminal. He is a product of his own making.. There's a lesson to be learned here... don't go out robbing... it's pretty simple.'

Alison Parish wrote on Facebook: 'Feel sorry for the guy doing the citizen arrest on him now.'

Locals have have spoken of their shock - and of their sympathy with the arrested man.

Karen Hughes, 47, said: 'It's sad someone has died, but if he hadn't been trying to rob the shop in the first place he'd still be alive today.

'The lad who restrained him clearly shouldn't be punished. He'll be going through hell now, when all he was trying to do was defend his community.'

Alan Hill, 65, said: 'The chap they've arrested should be released without charge. In my opinion he should be given a medal.

'Apparently the men trying to rob the shop had armed themselves golf clubs and baseball bats, it must have taken real bravery to challenge them.'

James Atkins, 37, said: 'Obviously you don't want people to die, especially when they're young, but it's hard to have much sympathy in this case.

'Hopefully they just arrested the other man as a precaution in all the confusion and he'll find out quickly no further action will be taken against him. I think a lot of people around here will see him as a hero.'

And Lee Marlow, 34, said: 'We don't know what's happened yet, do we? It sounds like the guy carrying out the robbery probably died of a heart attack or something rather than being beaten up, in which case it is surely a tragic accident rather than deliberate. I feel more sorry for the guy they have arrested, he was just doing his bit.'

A 29-year-old has died after robbing a Co-op store with a friend in Ashby, Leicestershire at about 10pm on Thursday. Soon after being restrained by passersby, the man 'took ill'

A 24-year-old man, thought to be one of the onlookers who foiled the suspected raider's getaway in Ashby, Leicestershire, was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has since been released pending further enquiries

Officers were called to Market Street in Ashby at 10pm on Thursday night after reports of two men entering a store and threatening staff with a baseball bat and golf club, and demanding cash.

One of the suspects made off in a vehicle which was waiting outside.

Bryant was apprehended in the street by members of the public, but became ill and was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

His condition was initially described as 'critical' following his admission on Thursday - but he later died in hospital on Saturday morning.

Following a post-mortem examination the cause of death is yet to be established as further tests are still being carried out.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission is carrying out an independent investigation into police involvement in his death.

Investigations into the robbery and identifying those responsible is continuing.

Detective Chief Inspector Di Coulson is leading the investigation into the death.

She said: 'We are keen to have any dashcam and mobile phone footage that anyone may have of the incident on Thursday night.

'There were lots of people in the area who saw what happened and were involved in apprehending Mr Bryant.

'No matter how short or insignificant you think it is, we would like to see it please.

The man's condition was initially described as 'critical' following his admission on Thursday - but he later died in hospital on Saturday morning

'I'd like to thank members of public in Ashby for their support so far and we've spoken to many witnesses, but if you saw what happened, or you have any information about the robbery and you haven't spoken to officers, please contact us.'

Call 101, quoting incident number 773 of 13 July.

Witnesses have told how the drama unfolded, explaining how passersby tried to break up the robbery on Thursday.

One witness said: 'Two guys in an Audi tried to rob the shop. One guy armed with a golf club got everything money-wise from the shop, but members of the public stopped him and restrained him for 30 minutes until the police came.

'The other guy mounted the pavement in an attempt to get the members of the public off of his mate.'

Another local, who asked not to be named, said: 'I heard all of this screaming and shouting outside.

'I heard a car's tyres screeching and driving off at speed. I looked out of my window and the street was rammed with people standing in the road.

'I saw this one guy lying on the pavement below. I thought they'd been in a fight. At first I thought they were helping him but then realised they were restraining him.'

Tributes for the man poured into social media after news of the father-of-two's death broke.

As passersby held down the suspected robber, his friend mounted the sidewalk in his Audi in an attempt to get the group away from the man

In a statement, Leicestershire Police explained how the man fell ill after passersby restrained him outside the shop

Alex Williams, who is the the mother of Bryant's son, wrote that she was 'absolutely heartbroken' over his death, and the thought that their son no longer has a father.

'I just want to promise i will be the best mommy and daddy i can be and bring him up to be the best person i can,' she wrote. 'Its so hard to say goodbye to someone who has been a massive part of my life and to explain to my son that you have gone and its goodbye forever.'

She added: 'You wernt perfect and we have gone through major ups and downs but i will always miss you and make sure jacob never forgets you or stops loving you and the same with me.

'Thank you to everyone who has given me support and offered there sympathy to me and to jacob i appreciate it and i may not have responded as it is all too much but i do know people are there for me so thank you and goodnight shaney b just watch over our son and keep him safe as i will xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.'

Mairead Evans, 34, from Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands said: 'I'm devastated but it still hasn't sunk in properly. He was like a brother to me, he always had my back and my friends' back for the whole 13 years I knew him.'

A crowdfunding page has been set up for Shane by friend Serina Larvin who wrote on the site: 'As you all no a much loved friend of our community got taken away in unexpected circumstances....

'He left behind two small children and a absolutely heartbroken family.... i thought it would be nice to raise some money to give to his children and help support the family in any way possible.....

An investigation into the incident has been launched by police. The man's death is being treated as unexplained and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course

'Any little donation im sure would be much appreciated..... just a little something to show our love and support.'

Staff at the Co-op, and at the White Hart pub opposite, said they had been asked by bosses not to comment on the incident.

But spokesman for Co-op said: 'We can confirm that an attempted armed robbery took place at our Ashby store.

'The members of staff on duty are unharmed, but they are obviously shaken by the incident and our primary concern is their safety and wellbeing. We are giving our full support to the Police while they investigate this matter.'

In a statement, East Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We received a call at 10.09pm on July 13 from Leics Police requesting medical assistance at the Co-op in Market Street, Ashby.

'We sent two paramedics in ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance and the air ambulance, and one patient was taken to Queen's Medical Centre by land ambulance.'

Conservative Councillor John Coxon, leader of Ashby Town Council, said he was 'surprised' the incident had taken place in Ashby.

Just two years ago it was named as one of the most popular market towns in the UK, with house prices rising 23 percent over a six-year period.

He added: 'Ashby is one of the most desirable places to live in England. We had an incident last Monday where a digger was used to steal a cash machine from a bank.

'We are not used to this sort of thing happening here. Hopefully they are one-offs. They are really out of character.'