An armed robber held up a shop cashier last night and escaped with the contents of her till.

The man went into Arkwrights Food Store in Beaconsfield Road, Brighton, several times, waiting for the shop to empty before he struck.

He pulled a gun on one shop worker, a woman in her early 20s, threatened her and grabbed the cash.

Natasha Stevenson, the shop's owner, said today: "The robber was quiet and calm but it was a very frightening experience for the staff. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

The robber, in his 20s or 30s, struck just before 6pm.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact Brighton and Hove CID on 0845 6070 999.