TWO female shop assistants were terrified when a masked knifeman burst into a bookmakers and forced them to hand over cash.

The man – in his early 20s – stormed in to Betfred in Hollingbury Place, Brighton, late at night.

After threatening the assistants he placed the money in a large black rucksack before fleeing.

The pair were too upset to speak about the robbery but residents living nearby have spoken of their shock.

Sam James, 24, has four young children and lives near the shop.

She said: “It is a scary thought that something like this has happened so close to my home.

“There are so many kids who hang out round there on their own and now this has happened you just get frightened.”

Kirsty Botting, 28, has lived in the area for seven years and has three young children.

She said: “I won’t let my kids out my sight now I have heard about this.

“The kids who play in the Dip are often out until the same time as when the incident happened and they could easily have witnessed it which is horrible.”

Sarah Jeffreys, 36, who works in Water Babies opposite Betfred, said: “I am shocked to think it could happen round here.

“We have been here for two years and not had anything like this happen before.

“There is quite a sense of community so it is a shame to hear this.

“We always lock our door even when we are open but we will make sure we keep doing it.

“I will be looking over my shoulder when I lock up for the day.”

The incident happened at around 9.20pm on Tuesday evening.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “We received a call from Betfred in Hollingbury Place reporting a knife point robbery.

“Officers arrived at the scene where two female workers were on duty.

“A man with his face covered walked in demanding money over the counter.

“An unknown amount of cash was handed over to him and the man placed the cash in a large black rucksack.

“He left the store and ran east towards Dudley Road.”

The man is described as short with a skinny build.

He has dark hair and his face was covered by tights.

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting 1595 of 20/06.

No arrests have been made.