An elderly have-a-go hero has been praised after trying to stop two robbers stealing money from a security van outside a Bath bank.

The raiders struck outside Lloyds TSB in Moorland Road at around 11.15am yesterday.

They grabbed a money box from the driver of the G4S security van before making off in a getaway car.

It was then that the 89-year-old man intervened and hit one of the robbers over the head with his walking stick, before being thrown to the floor by the duo.

The security driver and a passing food company boss also tried to prevent the men getting away.

No weapon is thought to have been used in the robbery, but the elderly man was taken to the Royal United Hospital. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Police have recovered a stolen black Mercedes which had been parked at an angle in nearby Mayfield Road and are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the car pull up and the men run off.

They also recovered a money box in the car, but it is not clear if the money was still inside. Witnesses say they heard that tens of thousands of pounds had been taken, although police never confirm precise amounts.

It is understood there were two men involved, one a white man wearing a balaclava and the other a black man wearing a beanie hat.

Inspector Brian Brady said officers had looked at CCTV from a nearby newsagents.

He said they could see that a white Transit-style van had been travelling behind the Mercedes, which could be linked to the crime or have been carrying a potential witness.

Insp Brady praised the members of the public who had tried to stop the robbery. "These are very commendable actions that took place today."

Giuseppe Tarallo, who runs La Bottega Fine Foods, witnessed the robbery and chased after the culprits.

The 57-year-old said: "I was making a food delivery to a customer near Moorland Road. I was driving along Moorland Road and noticed a man tackling a security guard. I then saw an elderly gentleman bravely walk up to the scene and begin to hit the robbers with his walking stick, in attempt to help the security guard.

"I was pretty shocked and as I drove closer I saw another robber join the altercation, and the older gentleman was knocked over. I began to look for spaces I could pull in so I could get out and help. Unfortunately the two attackers then began to run off.

"I drove straight after them and chased them through Stanley Road, but unfortunately lost them. I was really impressed by the elder gentleman's courage, as he got there first and tackled the robbers."

His daughter Lucy Tarallo-Fox tweeted about the incident. She said: "I just felt so proud I had to put it on Twitter."

Kate Lambert, a sales assistant at Tile Solutions on Moorland Road, heard the commotion on the street.

She said: "We just saw the police cars and an ambulance coming around the corner. So I was nosy and went to have a look at what was happening.

"I went down there but they had cordoned it all off."

The owner of News for You, who did not want to give his name, said it was his wife who had dialled 999.

He said: "Someone came into the shop and said the security person had been robbed.

"We went outside and saw an elderly chap sitting in the road with a head injury. He had hit the bloke with a walking stick. I heard that the guys had pushed him into the road.

"The police wanted to see our CCTV. There were about six cars about there and around 40 people."

A spokeswoman for G4S confirmed that one of its vehicles had been attacked.

She said: "Thankfully no injuries were sustained by our employee as a result of the attack and the crew and local management team are currently assisting the police with their investigations."

Police say that no weapons were used in the raid.

They are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area at the time of the incident or saw the black Mercedes with false registration plates, Y840 NGW, before the incident.

Anyone able to help is asked to contact police at Bath on 101.

This is the second time in recent years that the bank in Moorland Road has been targeted by robbers, with an armed raid in July 2007.