A SHOPKEEPER honoured as a Local Hero by the Birmingham Mail for bravely defying gun-toting robbers has been attacked again by another gang of armed crooks.

Reg Rowe was repeatedly pistol-whipped and knocked to the floor when masked thugs raided the family-run Birmingham off-licence on Sunday.

They fled empty-handed after blood-covered Mr Rowe threw a bottle of bleach at them.

It was the third time armed robbers have targeted the Hamstead store in less than two years – the first when he stood up to a gang after deciding their gun was fake.

Despite this latest attack the 58-year-old said he was determined the crooks would not drive the family out of business, even if they had to change opening hours to protect themselves.

“It was a brutal attack, the only good thing about it is that I’m still here to tell the story,” he said.

“We’ve got to be realistic though and we won’t be putting ourselves at risk.

“We’re looking at shutting the shop earlier. That gives us less trade and puts us in a more vulnerable position, but it’s got to be done.”