A 57-year-old taverna owner was shot dead in eastern Athens yesterday morning by two armed robbers who were lying in wait for him outside his home, police said.

After leaving his taverna in central Athens, Giorgos Vergos returned to his house in Kamatero at 3.15 a.m., according to officers.

The two robbers approached him as he was getting out of his car and demanded that he hand over a bag that contained the day's takings from his business.

Vergos refused to hand over the money and challenged the robbers. One of the assailants fired a shot that struck the taverna owner in the neck.

The robbers made off with the bag, which contained 2,000 euros. The victim was taken to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.