Jeweller's reopens after shooting

Police have issued CCTV footage of the Amore robber

A jewellery shop in West Sussex reopened for business on Saturday, two days after its manager was saved from a robber's bullet by his mobile phone.

Two shots were fired at Darren Prior, 23, when he chased the robber who escaped from Amore Jewellers in Horsham with a fistful of gems on Thursday.

Mr Prior's mobile phone, in his suit jacket pocket, absorbed the impact of a shot and he was unhurt.

Police said they were treating the incident as attempted murder.

'Traumatic experience'

Owner of the shop, Lee Lawson, said: "We are trying to get back to normal."

He said Mr Prior had not yet returned to work.

"Obviously he went through a very traumatic experience, so I'm keeping him off," he told BBC News.

He said he did not yet know what had been stolen in the raid, and was working through a stock-take so he could let police know.

The gunman fled from the jewellers in Piries Place along Pump Alley and into a car park in Denne Road, pursued by Mr Prior.

The robber threatened staff at Amore Jewellers in Piries Place

Detectives said they were keen to trace where the man went after he entered the car park and said it was possible he had left in a car.

He was described as black, about 6ft tall, and wearing a white baseball cap and a black hooded top.

Det Insp Jo Wainwright said there was no doubt the shopkeeper's mobile phone had saved him from serious injury.

On Friday, forensic experts conducted a fingertip search of the scene, while other officers were taking statements from witnesses.

Local trader Brett Hunnisett said Mr Prior was "not the sort of person to be walked over".

"He is just the sort o f bloke who would go after someone like that."