A brave shop worker fended off two machete-wielding armed men at the Arnold?s Express market on Front Street last night.

The manager of the store ? who only took it over on Monday ? later said the incident was symptomatic of ?out of control? violent crime in Bermuda.

The drama began shortly before 8 p.m.

The mask-clad pair walked into the store, formerly known as Dismont Robinson Grocers, brandishing blades and making demands for money.

Stanley Murphy from Somerset, one of two male workers on the premises at the time, fended the men off and they made their escape empty-handed.

Store owner Frank Arnold said that a female customer, who he described as an ?older lady? had also been in the store when the incident happened but was not affected.

Although he had no details of what Mr. Murphy had done to fight off the would-be robbers, he told that one of the culprits had been ?badly bruised? in the struggle. No shop staff were injured.

Vowing to step up security measures in the light of the incident, he added: ?This is all about what?s happening in Bermuda. It?s out of control.?

The store, which had been due to close at 9 p.m., shut down after the incident while Police investigated.

Police spokesman Dwayne Caines said: ?Proprietors and store owners should be vigilant and looking for any individuals that may be acting suspiciously. They should engage all security measures at their businesses.?

Any witnesses to the attempted robbery should ring the Police on 295 0011.