MASKED burglars breaking into a Monmouth shop were left empty-handed after waking up the owner's son.

Alex Stoker was in the flat above Shirtbox in Monnow Street, when he heard what he described as an "almighty crash" at 3.30am on Wednesday 21st April and ran downstairs to see what was happening.

"They had kicked the door in, and were scrambling around just inside the shop, filling two big garden bags with clothes," said Alex.

"I came running through and must have caught them by surprise. I was there even before the alarm went off."

Alex managed to fight the intruders off, pushing one into a rack of clothes, and the two men ran off down Agincourt Street, leaving their loot and getaway vehicle, a bicycle, behind.

Store owner Harry Stoker said: "It is lucky Alex was here – they probably thought the building was empty.

"They would have got away with £400 to £500 worth of stock, which would have been an easy £100 down the pub.

"It has cost me to replace the glass – I'm £200 out of pocket – but we have been lucky.

"Monmouth is becoming a thieves' paradise. There is no CCTV, there are no police patrols – nothing to deter thieves.