A guard and alert bank employees foiled an attempted robbery at the UOB branch at City Plaza in Geylang Road on Monday.

The drama began at 3.15 pm when the suspect walked up to a bank teller and handed him a note, warning 'Don't be a hero'.

According to news report, the male suspect, said to be of dark-complexion, was wearing women's clothes.

His suspicious behaviour and dressing led the bank's security guard to take note of him.

Certis Cisco guard Rosli Mohamad Sa'ad, 45, later told reporters that he knew that something was wrong when the suspect entered the bank.

News reports also mentioned that the suspect threatened to 'detonate the bomb' using his mobile phone and told the teller and the guard that they had only 'three minutes.'

Mr Sa'ad sprung into action when the suspect turned to face him and warned him not to interfere.

He managed to wrestled the man to the ground, and with the help of four other bank staff pinned him down.

"The moment I pinned him down, the rest moved to the side. But I was very lucky as the staff also helped me in this situation," Mr Sa'ad told reporters.

The police were called and the suspect was taken away.

No one was hurt and the incident is now under police investigation.