A BRAVE shop assistant was praised today after preventing raiders from stealing cash at a Southampton newsagents.

The woman, who has not been named, screamed repeatedly and clung hold of the cash register as two men wearing balaclavas tried to wrestle it from her hands.

Police said the duo also grabbed a display stand full of lottery scratchcards but abandoned it at the scene outside Whistlestop in Station Road, Sholing.

The drama unfolded around 6.20am, not long after the convenience store had opened.

It is believed the raiders sat in a stolen white Vauxhall Astra outside the shop and waited until customers had left before going inside.

The car, which had been stolen from the Thornhill area overnight, was abandoned at the scene, when the pair ran off empty-handed towards Woolston.

Shop-owner Graeme Broad today told the Daily Echo: "They tried to get the till and lottery scratchcards, but the member of staff managed to stop them getting anything.

"She hung on to the till and they tried pulling it away, but she just screamed and screamed and as a consequence we didn't lose anything

"She was extremely brave. She was not physically harmed but obviously shaken up."

The assistant, who was on her own at the time, was today recovering at home from her ordeal.

Det Sgt Howard Kiley, of Bitterne CID, said: "The lady in the shop was not injured but was obviously very shaken and upset.

"We would like to hear from anybody who either visited the shop this morning or was a passer-by and noticed any person acting suspiciously in the area."

Police said one raider wore a red balaclava, while his accomplice wore a white one. Both had dark clothing.

Anyone with information is urged to call Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545 or the free, anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.