A SHOP keeper says he is lucky to be alive after masked gunmen burst into his shop and fired a shot into the ceiling.

Terrified Dhirajlal Soni was hit in the face and knocked to the floor as the men attempted to rob the Chalfont Common post office in Rickmansworth Lane, Chalfont St Peter, on Monday.

Mr Soni's wife Aruna, 40, ran downstairs into the shop after hearing the noise and one of the men shouted 'shoot her, shoot her'.

The bullet was then blasted into the ceiling triggering off their alarm, and leaving the men to flee empty handed.

Mr Soni, 42, said he was bruised in the attack but was relieved no one was hurt.

He said: "They said 'shoot her, shoot her' and they fired the shot. At that time you are just trying to defend yourself and I couldn't see because my glasses had fallen off and I didn't see the gun. It happened very fast. This lasted two to three minutes but nothing was taken. We have now got a hole in the ceiling.

"I was frightened but luckily we had a security device and that triggered the alarm. I think I am lucky I got the security system as that saved my life."

Mr Soni was sorting the newspapers for deliveries and open for customers when the balaclava-wearing men entered the shop at 6.30am.

He added: "We will now be more careful. You don't expect this sort of thing to happen and this makes you realise it does. Everybody should be more careful in this world and people should be more careful about each other in life. They were just after money or jewellery or cigarettes. We don't carry much stock, we just work from day to day."

Detectives investigating the incident at the post office are keen to trace two vehicles seen outside the store at the time of the incident.

A large white van and a small dark coloured car were seen outside the post office when two men entered the store.

They are described as white, slim, wearing black clothing, and were wearing balaclavas. One was about 5ft 7ins or 5ft 8ins, the other is about 5ft 8ins or 5ft 9ins.

Witnesses are urged to contact Jim Reeves at Amersham CID on 01494 465888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

February 14, 2002 13:38