A mother-of-five armed herself with a tin of biscuits to chase a knife-wielding robber from her shop.

She first threatened to throw a jar of chillies at him but when that failed she took hold of a tin of Walker's shortbread and the man fled.

Police today described Nirmala Fatania as a heroine but she said: "I don't really know what came over me.

"I was scared but anger got the better of me. There was no way he was going to get my hard-earned money."

The teenage robber first bought sweets at Mrs Fatania's shop, Rake Stores and Wines, in London Road, Rake, near Midhurst, and returned ten minutes later.

He pretended to be shopping for a 21st birthday card for his girlfriend and suddenly produced a knife from a sleeve and demanded money from the till.

Mrs Fatania said she told the robber: "If you touch me I will wallop you". But he persisted.

She said: "Then anger just took over. I got a jar of chillies and told him I would throw it at him. He tried to grab the till so I grabbed the biscuits and went after him."

Mrs Fatania chased him from the shop and slammed the biscuit tin on his Ford Fiesta, denting the boot, as he drove off.

"Police were here in minutes. I was in control of my emotions and didn't cry but I was shaking."

A police spokeswoman said: "We do not recommend anyone having a go at would-be robbers but Mrs Fatania deserves a pat on the back. She was very courageous."

The robber is 5ft 4in with dark brown hair. He wore a black jacket and jeans. His car registration began with a K.