Two men who tackled an armed robber in a convenience store have been honoured for their bravery.

Taxi driver Kevin Delahay and shop assistant Dean Sharpe were given a commendation by the High Sheriff of Kent George Jessel and will each receive £500.

Grandfather Mr Delahay, 63, grappled with drug addict Matthew Waddington as he pointed an imitation firearm at Mr Sharpe and demanded money.

The cabbie was seen on CCTV bravely trying to prise the weapon from the robber’s hand as the shop assistant rushed to help him.

It was the second time Waddington – described as smelly - had raided the Co-op store in Gillingham in two days.

The first time he held up shop assistant Sam Sheard with the BB gun and fled with just £65.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Waddington, 38, was desperate to repay debts to drug dealers when he went to the store in Gillingham Road, where he lived, at 7.45pm on Saturday, October 14 last year.

Wearing a Nike tracksuit and a top covering his face and giving off a “distinctive smell”, he walked up to the cigarette kiosk, pulled the gun from his pocket and pointed it at team leader Mrs Sheard.

Prosecutor Martin Yale said she feared for her safety.

She placed the cash tray on the counter and then managed to press the panic button to alert the police as Waddington made off with a handful of notes.

Two days later he returned to the shop at about 1.45pm and pointed the gun at Mr Sharpe as he was serving Mr Delahay.

The customer immediately sprang into action and grabbed Waddington’s wrist.

Mr Sharpe joined the struggle and they managed to detain Waddington until the police arrived.

“There was the sound of the trigger being pulled while they were grappling and trying to get the gun away,” said Mr Yale.

“Both men were pinning him to the ground.

"The defendant tried to bite Mr Sharpe’s hand several times through the fabric of his mask.”

While Mr Delahay was being treated in hospital for a puncture wound, he was given a parking ticket on his car outside the Co-op. The fine was later cancelled.

Waddington, who admitted robbery, attempted robbery and two offences of possessing an imitation firearm, was in November jailed for five years and four months.

Told by James Ross, defending, that Waddington had blown a £50,000 inheritance on crack cocaine and then owed debts to dealers, Judge Philip Statman said: “If you play with fire...”

Judge Philip Statman said when the awards were presented: “Both these gentlemen behaved in the most extraordinary way in disarming Mr Waddington in the manner described, not knowing whether the gun was loaded or not.

“They behaved with conspicuous bravery and I am happy to be in the position for them to receive a commendation.”