A sword-wielding robber was foiled by a shop assistant brandishing a plastic fork, a court has been told.

Arthur Rennie, 20, of King Street, Port Glasgow, demanded cash from Julie Crighton as she worked at Cowden's News and Fast Food Shop in Greenock on March 16 2015.

The 23-year-old shopworker refused to open the till and instead chased Rennie from the premises while clutching the plastic utensil.

Ms Crighton was praised for her bravery at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.

Judge Lady Rae said: "This was a large sword and the incident must have been very frightening.

"She is an extremely brave young woman who tackled Mr Rennie despite the fact he had that sword."

Giving evidence earlier in the trial, Ms Crighton was shown a sword with a 2ft blade and identified it as the weapon used in the incident.

She said an accomplice of Rennie's waited at the door as he entered the shop. As the would-be robber demanded money he pushed Ms Crighton, who shoved him back and then chased him on to the street.

The court heard a bag containing the sword and clothes with Rennie's DNA on them was recovered the day after the attempted robbery.

Rennie denied the charge but was convicted and sentenced to four years in prison.