Captured on video: 'Steve Irwin' shopkeeper fights off armed raider

The 41 year-old shopkeeper, who calls himself "The Steve Irwin of the off-licence trade" fought back when the masked would-be robber pointed a gun inches from his face.

Mr Komorowski, who moved to the UK nine years twice tried to grab the gun and shouted "give me that".

The startled criminal turned and fled empty-handed - but Mr Komorowski continued to pursue him and chased his getaway vehicle, trying to get a mobile phone picture of the car's registration.

The man has never been caught and Mr Komorowski's wife Diane has now released the footage from June 18 in an attempt to trace the criminals.

Mr Komorowski, who has run Alwoodley Wines in north Leeds for two-and-a-half years, said: "I must be the Steve Irwin of the off-licence trade fighting off a man with a gun.

"My family have asked me if I would do the same thing again and sadly I think I am dumb enough, that's just who I am."

He added: "I heard someone come in to the shop very quickly. We have had a few people run in and grab a crate of beer so I thought it was another of those thefts and came out.

"But as soon as I got out I saw the masked bandit in front of me with a gun, shouting 'this is a stick-up'. It happened so quickly, just seconds, but I must have just thought I've come this far so I might as well try and get the gun off him.

"I was thinking 'how dare you stick a gun in my face' and I yelled at him 'give me that' and tried to grab it off him. The adrenaline was pumping, you don't have time to think.

"He ran out of the door and into this car which was being driven by an accomplice. I bet he thought that I would stay in the shop, but I was determined he should be caught so as he drove off I ran after him trying to get a picture on my phone of the car and its registration number. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get a picture.

"Looking back I made a decision, thankfully it was the right one at the time. It could have gone a lot worse."

Police found the stolen black Ford Focus abandoned a few miles away - but the men are still at large.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: While the actions of the shopkeeper in confronting the suspect were extremely brave we do not encourage people to risk their own safety and would always advise ringing the police

"We are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward."