A takeaway owner has described the moment he squared up to a knife-wielding robber who stabbed him after he refused to hand over money.

Gurdev Singh, owner of The Original Codfather fish and chip shop, in Luton, Chatham, was targeted by a masked man.

The 49-year-old was locking up the back of the shop when a man appeared and told him: "Give me the money and keep your mouth shut."

But the business owner refused to give him the cash and told him "come and get it" as the pair circled each once before Mr Singh was stabbed.

It was not until the culprit fled and Mr Singh began to chase him along Beacon Hill, that he realised his leg was "spurting out" blood.

He said: "It was not until I was 20 yards down the road that I realised something was wrong.

"It was like someone had poured hot water over my head, which I thought was adrenaline, but when I touched my jeans I felt blood and realised I had been stabbed."

Mr Singh then staggered into the Hen and Chickens pub, opposite, as customers rushed to help and tied a belt to slow the bleeding at around 10.15pm on Friday last week.

An ambulance was called and Mr Singh was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital, where he underwent three operations for the 6in wound and had 20 staples put in his leg. He was discharged on Wednesday.

"It could have been life-threatening," he said. "It missed my artery by 3cm and I was in a critical condition. I'm really grateful for the help of people in the pub and I don't regret what I did. You have to protect your own.

"I was just angry that he was asking for money. I work 13 hours a day every day for my money. Why should I give it to someone?

"I do feel lucky because I could have been lying on the floor round the back of the shop where no one would have seen me.

"I always feel grateful to be alive. It is a blessing."

Anthony Watkins was at the bar of the Hen and Chickens pub when the victim walked in.

The 34-year-old said: "He was in a pretty bad way. There was blood spurting out of his leg. The landlord called 999 straight away and I went to help him.

"I asked him if he had a belt on him and told him to take it off. I then wrapped it around his leg, above the stab wound.

"The wound must have been quite deep, there was a lot of blood. I recognised him as the owner of the chip shop.

"He was trying to call someone on his mobile phone but he kept passing out. The ambulance was here within minutes. He was still half-conscious when they arrived."

Part of Luton High Street and Beacon Hill was taped off while forensic officers examined the scene. Part of the pub was still closed off on Saturday afternoon.

One resident in Beacon Hill, who did not want to be named, said: "I saw blood on the steps of the pub on Saturday morning and thought there had been a fight or something. I didn't know someone had been stabbed.

She added: "The owner of the fish shop has been there for years. I hope he is OK."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Kent Police is investigating an attempted robbery at The Original Codfather in Luton High Street, Chatham. Investigations to locate the offender are continuing."