A LYCHPIT man has been charged after a shop worker was threatened with a hammer.

The charges relate to an alleged attempted robbery at Londis in Reading Road, Sherfield-on-Loddon, which took place on Monday, May 26.

Police said a man, wearing a motorcycle helmet and waving a hammer, entered the store just after 10am. He threatened a member of staff and demanded cash, but shoppers restrained the man and he was arrested.

James Barker, 32, of Badgers Bank, has been charged with attempted robbery, assaulting a police officer and failing to provide a specimen of breath.

He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, June 19.