A robbery suspect is being hunted by police after threatening a Co-Op worker with a baton.

Officers were called to the store in Spitalfield Lane in Chichester at 2.15pm on Sunday after the incident was reported.

A man clad in a grey hooded top and black jogging trousers entered the store.

He then allegedly threatened the staff member while brandishing the weapon in an attempt to steal cash from the till.

But when the staff member refused, it forced him to flee in the direction of St Richard’s Hospital.

Detective Constable Elaine Keating said the man is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall and in his early 20s, but had masked his face.

She said: "Thankfully the shop worker was not injured and nothing was taken from the store.

"The store was busy at the time and we are appealing to anyone who was in the shop or nearby at the time to get in touch to help us with this investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 and quote serial 657 of 17/06 or report information on the Sussex Police website, www.sussex.police.uk.

Alternatively information can be reported anonymously to Sussex CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111.