A knife-wielding robber was stopped in his tracks by two have-a-go pensioners who barricaded him inside a shop - and it was all caught on film.

The panic-stricken bungling thug was left trapped inside the convenience store in Pendlebury, Salford, by Ron Smith, 78, and Robert Anderson, 72, who kept a tight grip of the door as he tried to leave.

The modest heroes have now received a commendation from the Chief Constable for their actions which were filmed on CCTV cameras.

In the clip Ron is seen to walk by the shop and hold the door after peeping inside and seeing the robbery taking place. Robert, who was nearby, then came over to help when he realised what was going on.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Cameras also capture the terrifying ordeal of the shop assistant who has a blade pointed in her face by robber Liam Redford, 19.

After filling a bag with cash and cigarettes Redford goes to leave, but cannot get through the door of the P and H Convenience store in Bolton Road.

But he panics as he is unable to get out and runs around the shop. He tries to get out the back but that is locked and then goes back into the shop.

He eventually threw his bag of £450 in cash, and £200 worth of cigarettes back at the assistant and said; “Tell them to open the door. I just want to go you can have your money back.”

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Redford is then filmed running upstairs. He climbed through a bedroom window and onto a ledge, before jumping onto the roof of a van.

He was then grabbed by builders who had stopped to help Ron and Robert, and was arrested by a police officer who was nearby.

Redford, from Salford, is currently serving a two year sentence at a young offender’s institute after pleading guilty to robbery.

Ron and Robert were given the VIP treatment yesterday with a reception for them at Swinton Civic Centre, held by ceremonial Mayor of Salford, Peter Dobbs.

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Ron told the MEN how he was on his way to the post office and Robert to the chemist when they decided to get stuck in.

Ron said: “I was just walking past the shop and looked in and saw this lad holding a big knife at a girl behind the counter, so I thought, well he’s not getting out while I’m here.

“I just grabbed the door. I asked a couple who were walking past to give me a lift and they just carried on. Then Bob came and helped. Then I flagged down two lads in a van who stopped.

“The lad in the shop ran to the door, couldn’t get out and was going daft, kicking it.

“He gave the shop assistant all the stuff back and the next thing he was coming out of the window.

“He jumped onto a roof rack on the van, and the workmen grabbed him. Then I walked away and went to the post office.”

(Image: Joel Goodman)

Ron and Robert didn’t know each other until the chance encounter, but it turned out both attended Cromwell Road High in Swinton as boys.

Ron added: “We were very proud to receive the Chief Constable’s award - at least we did something. It’s on the wall at home.”

Their commendation says “It is highly likely that the offender would have escaped had it not been for Ronald and Robert’s actions.”

Councillor Peter Dobbs added: “It took a lot of courage to do what they did and I wanted to meet them to say thank you on behalf of the city of Salford.

“They trapped the robber in the shop, giving the police time to reach the scene and catch him red handed. If it was not for them and the people who gathered outside the shop, the robber would have escaped with hundreds of pounds worth of cigarettes and cash.”