Armed police sealed off a village street after a gunman fired a shot during a shop raid.

A masked raider armed with a gun confronted a terrified shopkeeper and discharged a gun in the Poppins Pantry shop in Penkridge last night.

The alarm was raised at 9.25pm at the shop in Cannock Road which was still open for business.

Owner of the general store, off licence and newsagents Ram Murti Mall said the man was after money and a shot was fired before he fled empty handed.

Mrs Ram, aged 57, was not injured in the incident.

She said she could not say any more about the incident until she had been interviewed by police today.

Armed officers and detectives were called to the scene and closed off the area around the shop.

The officers carried out door-to-door enquiries in the Cannock Road area following the incident and they were continuing this morning. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the firearms incident.

Police are trying to establish exactly what kind of gun was used and say they believe only one man was involved and that the raider’s face was covered and he was wearing dark clothing.

Staffordshire police are appealing for anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area to contact Cannock CID on 0300 123 4455 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.