A woman shopkeeper has told how her battle against cancer gave her the courage to fight off a machete-wielding robber.

Judith Merrills faced the robber at the Birstall shop she runs with husband Keith.

Despite being threatened with a 2ft-long blade she stopped him rifling the till and chased him away.

Mrs Merrills, 53, said: "I am not afraid to die. I have twice stared death in the face when I had bowel cancer and thought I wouldn't see my children or husband again. I wouldn't have given him a penny."

When the robber entered the shop Mrs Merrills was suspicious. She said: "I asked him what he wanted and he didn't answer. I stood opposite him at the counter and asked him again. He then produced this machete-like knife.

"He said 'give me the money!' and I told him I didn't have any. He had the knife in two hands and was waving it in my face.

"I wasn't thinking straight and I took a couple of steps back. He started to try to climb over the counter.

"I just went for him and pushed him on the shoulder. He made off, trying to get out through the door. I tried to grab his collar but managed to grab his baseball cap and chased him out of the shop."

The robber disappeared across waste ground behind a nearby church hall.

Mrs Merrills has run L&D Vickers off licence and general store, in Low Lane, for over 12 years and her parents ran it for 30 years before that.

"We know everybody round here and are at the heart of this community," she said. "This man is not going to stop that and although it did frighten me, I won't let him scare us."

The robber was described as white, aged 22, 5ft 5ins tall, of medium build with short, mousy-coloured hair in a flat-top style. The knife had a brown handle and looked new.

Police have appealed for anyone who saw the suspect during the raid at 2.10pm last Thursday to come forward.

Sergeant Bob Porritt, of Dewsbury police, said: "She was brave to fight the man off, but it is not always advisable to take that course of action. We are appealing to anyone who was about before or after the attack or anyone who recognises the description to call Dewsbury CID. Any shopkeeper who remembers selling a knife like this should also get in touch."

Anyone with information should call Det Sgt Mick Turner at Dewsbury CID on (0845) 60 60 60 6.