A shopkeeper scared off a man with a knife who was demanding cash.

The raider walked into Newsmart, London Road, St Leonards, and spent a few minutes browsing before pulling out the knife and threatening owner Ramesh Patel.

But Mr Patel was so annoyed he picked up a piece of shelving and banged it repeatedly on the counter, forcing the raider to flee.

Mr Patel said: "I was not frightened. I was more angry. I work seven days a week and the last thing that I want is for someone to come in like this and take money from me. I saw this bit of shelving and kept slamming it on the counter. He just ran off. He was in the shop for about five minutes and I knew he was up to no good. I just had these really bad vibes from him."

During the incident, on Saturday at 6.20pm, a bus stopped at a bus stop outside the shop. Hastings police are appealing for anyone travelling on the bus who may have witnessed the incident to call them on 0845 60 70 999.

The raider is described as aged 20 to 25, with a black mark on his face.

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