A store has been targeted for the second time by a raider in the 21st armed robbery in the Worthing area since Christmas.

Tarring Village Stores in Church Road was raided at 2.18pm yesterday when a man threatened staff with what was believed to have been a shotgun.

Police sealed off the area around St Andrew's Church in Tarring where armed police searched the scene for evidence.

The previous raid on the shop at 7pm on January 29 is being linked to a string of ten robberies believed to be committed by the same man.

The Operation Texan team is investigating those raids along with another five and is offering a £10,000 reward for the conviction of the robber. Police say it is too early to say whether yesterday's attack is connected.

He is described as white, in his late 20s early 30s, with dark hair and a silver coloured ring through his nose, said to be slightly larger than a normal sleeper style ring.

He was 5ft 8ins tall, slim to thin build and was wearing a dark padded jacket.

Police are appealing for anyone who knows anyone fitting this description to contact the Operation Texan incident room on 0845 6070999.