Masked robbers who tried to hold up a bank in the Black Country were foiled when customers fought them off, sitting on one until police arrived.

The attempted raid took place at Lloyds TSB in Oldbury. Two men burst into the bank at around 2.15pm yesterday and demanded cash from terrified staff.

A getaway driver was waiting in a car outside the branch in Hagley Road West.

However, three customers bravely turned on the raiders and attacked them.

One robber fled empty-handed but the other was overpowered by members of the public and held until police arrived.

One customer, who did not want to be named, said today: “It all happened so quickly.

“They burst in and were shouting at the cashiers. One of them had a big carrier bag and he was demanding that the staff fill it with money.

“The other one had his hand in his pocket, making it look like he had a weapon.

“But all of a sudden, three men just turned on them and gave them a kicking. One robber ran off but the customers sat on the other one until the police arrived and arrested him.”

West Midlands Police said a red Honda Civic that had been stolen on November 11 in Brierley Hill, was used in the raid.

Spokesman Billy Corrigan said: “The customers managed to restrain an armed offender while preventing an accomplice from entering the bank.

“Another offender ran off in the direction of Birmingham.”

Police would not say what weapons were used. One man was today in police custody on suspicion of attempted robbery.

The bank was open for business as normal today.