A shop owner was punched twice in the face in an attempted robbery at the weekend.

Beris Brown, proprietor of J and B Complete Fashions, says the assault has left him with a fracture and five stitches to the corner of his left eye.

The 56-year-old was attacked at around 4 p.m. on Saturday in his shop in King Street, Pembroke. He said: "Two young guys just rushed into the store and said 'This is a hold-up, give us your money'. Then they started attacking me.

"I've been here for four years and this is the first time I've known anything like this to happen around here. It was a shock."

Mr. Brown said one man tried to restrain him as the other punched him twice in the eye. Both men had covered up their mouths and noses, pulling T-shirts over their faces.

"When they punched me I started screaming to get people's attention, and I grabbed a pair of scissors. Then they ran out of the store towards the Middletown area.

"I was scared. The man launched himself right at me, almost like a boxer and hit me straight in the eye.

"He struck me so hard it felt like he had a knuckle-duster. I almost passed out. The whole experience has left me quite shaken."

Mr. Brown was taken to hospital where a CAT scan revealed a fracture under his eye. He received five stitches to a cut to the corner of his eye.

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said: "The assailants made good their escape on foot towards Curving Avenue empty-handed. Inquiries into this incident are underway."

The suspects are described as 5ft 11in tall, black, and wore white T-shirts and jeans.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact the Hamilton Criminal Investigation Unit on 295-0011.