Naveed Akbar (43), of Abbey News, told the Press that the male, suspected to be in his late teens, had entered his newsagent at 1.50pm on Saturday, demanded alcohol and cigarettes and told him that he had a gun in his pocket.

But Naveed says he was more annoyed he was missing the Celtic game on TV at the time rather than scared by the sozzled raider!

Mr Akbar told the Press, “He came in and tripped over the shopping baskets by the door. He had a blue plastic bag over part of his face as a disguise.

“He asked me for drink and I told him I don’t sell alcohol, so then he said OK, give me all your fags, and I said no. He then went on to tell me he had a gun so I asked him to show me it.

“He just stood there giving me a stare and I told him to get out or I would phone the police. I leaned into him from over the counter and gave him a five-second countdown.

“He was trying to be aggressive but he was clearly very drunk. I treated it with humour because I wasn’t convinced he had a gun but I phoned the police because he said the g-word and I was worried about what he would do next.

“It was in the afternoon and I didn’t want him going next door to the hairdressers and scaring the women who work there as they might have been intimidated by him. I play American football and other sports and he was quite a bit smaller than me so I think I wasn’t scared because of that.

“He ran off but I caught it all on CCTV. When I look back at it all I should have grabbed him – I was really just annoyed that it took my attention away from the Celtic game!

“We have been here 20 years and not once have we had something like this happen. We know everyone around here and their parents and their grandparents. But I didn’t recognise him.

“I am thinking of going as a blue bag-masked robber for Halloween though!” The suspected robber is described as white, in his late teens, 5ft 5ins tall and wearing a blue hooded jacket, dark trousers and dark trainers.

He was last seen running along Inchkeith Drive and officers are urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

Detective Inspector Colin Robson said, “Thankfully, no person was injured in the incident and I am appealing to anyone who may have been in the area around the time and observed any person acting matching this description or acting suspiciously.

“We have officers dedicated to investigating this crime and have increased high-visibility foot patrols in the area.

“Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101. Alternatively, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.”