SHOPOWNER Harish Patel has described the horrifying moment a hooded gang rammed a 4x4 vehicle through metal shutters meant to protect his business and young family.

The 45-year-old said the noise as the off-road vehicle smashed into the One Stop Shop in Highgate, Heaton, was terrifying - especially for his wife and nine-year-old son who had been asleep in the family's flat above the store.

Mr Patel ran downstairs to dial 999 while the gang continued to ram the shopfront until they forced their way in.

He said two men jumped out and ran into the shop while one man was on look-out and another two people stayed in the vehicle.

"The noise of them ramming the shutters was terrifying - we were all shaken up," Mr Patel said.

"I ran downstairs and was on the phone in the backroom of the store, shouting that the police were on the way. They were in and out in seconds. They were quiet - it was me who was making all the noise. They got about £500 of cigarettes making a mess and then just sped off.

"One of them who I saw was quite small, he was about 15 to 17 maybe. They had tracksuits on and hoods up. I got it all on CCTV and the police have that now. You could only really see their eyes and noses."

Mr Patel, who has run the shop for the past 14 years without trouble, praised police for responding so fast to the road which happened at about 3am on Monday .

He said: "I was still on the phone when the police arrived. I was able to give them the 4x4's reg number. They spotted it on the way and gave chase to Beamsley Road where it crashed into a parked car and the lads in it ran off."

The shop, which is boarded up, is now trading again and Mr Patel has put up a poster outside thanking the community for its support.

He said: "We've had lot of messages and kind thoughts from our customers and people living round here. I've had lots of hugs which mean a lot."

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said inquiries were continuing.

* Two men, aged 21 and 19, yesterday appeared before Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court, charged with burglary in connection with the incident.The 19-year-old also faces a charge of possessing a Class B drug.

Both men were remanded in custody to re-appear before magistrates next Tuesday and then at Bradford Crown Court on March 22.