This is the shocking moment a knife-wielding thug slashed at a brave shopkeeper after punching him in the face.

The hooded yob and his accomplice burst into the Burton Road Convenience Store in Derby just before 4.30pm on January 9.

He then demanded cash from the shopkeeper who was standing behind the counter while the other man stood guard by the door.

This is the shocking moment a knife-wielding thug slashed at a brave shopkeeper after punching him in the face

The hooded yob and his accomplice burst into the Burton Road Convenience Store in Derby just before 4.30pm on January 9

Shocking CCTV footage shows the moment the thug, who had a scarf covering his face, then punched the worker in the face.

The dramatic video shows the brave shopkeeper grappling with his attacker who wildly slashes at him with a knife.

He can be seen receiving multiple blows but manages to evade being caught by the blade as he is dragged around during the 10-second tussle.

Eventually the shopkeeper is pulled to the floor as the two thugs sprint off from the store in Derby empty-handed.

Today, Derbyshire Police released a 47-second video of the shocking attack in a bid to try and track down the two attempted robbers.

The man who attacked the shopkeeper with the knife is described as being 5ft 5ins tall and possibly in his 20s.

His face was covered with a dark scarf and he wore a dark beanie hat, dark hooded jacket and dark trousers.

He then demanded cash from the shopkeeper who was standing behind the counter while the other man stood guard by the door

The dramatic video shows the brave shopkeeper grappling with his attacker who wildly slashes at him with a knife

He also wore distinctive black rimmed glasses and spoke with a local accent.

His accomplice, who stood by the door throughout the incident, is of a similar height and age and wore dark clothing, a dark beanie hat with a scarf over his face..

Councillor Asaf Afzal, who represents Abbey ward on Derby City Council, said: 'I was particularly shocked by this incident.

'Nobody deserves to have their life threatened by someone wielding a knife.

'I welcome the release of these CCTV images by the police and hope they lead to the arrest and conviction of the person involved.'

A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police added: 'One man demanded cash from the shopkeeper behind the counter, punching him in the face.

'The victim and the man, who had now produced a knife, struggled for a time before the two offenders ran off empty-handed.

'CCTV footage has now been released and shows one of the men police want to speak to about the incident. An image of the second man has also been shared.'

Officers are appealing to anybody who recognises either of the two men to call DC Kumar Dhunna on 101, quoting crime reference number 1321/16.