AN ELDERLY shopkeeper's face was slashed as he struggled with a knifeman who tried to rob him.

Ken Lockwood, 74, grabbed the man as he demanded money at Lockwood's Newsagents and Tobacconists in Gillygate, York.

Mr Lockwood was taken to York District Hospital where he needed nine stitches in his face and treatment to arm injuries before being released last night.

Mr Lockwood said: "He came in and just started screaming at the top of his voice, shouting 'Where's the money?' over and over again. It was like a stuck gramophone record.

"That raises one's resistance and I wasn't going to give him anything. Eventually he gave up.

"I did struggle with him, but I don't remember it clearly. I did what I could, but it was all a bit of a blur."

The man escaped with another man who was waiting outside. Police arrived within a minute of reports of the knifeman entering the shop shortly before 4pm yesterday.

Sergeant John Suchomski, of York Police, said: "The man was challenged by the proprietor and a struggle ensued. Following that challenge, he made off on foot.

"Witnesses near to the premises led to the deployment of about 11 officers, who went to a premises in the city centre which was then surrounded."

He said that building was in the Peasholme Green area. A knife was recovered. Only 25 minutes after the attempted robbery, a man was arrested.

Another man was arrested shortly afterwards. Both are currently being interviewed by York CID.

Mr Lockwood said: "I am all right now, but I have quite a few stitches in my face.

"This is just one of those things these days. I've been in this shop since 1937 and we've had the occasional fracas, but nothing as serious as this. This sort of thing was totally unheard of 20 years ago.

"The police came down to see me in hospital and told me they had made arrests. That is good news at least."

Updated: 11:46 Wednesday, August 28, 2002