A knifeman held up an off licence and demanded cash.

The robber, wearing a hoodie, pulled out the weapon at Huttons Off Licence in Southwick Square, Southwick, Brighton at 9.45pm on Monday. He told the 18-year-old shop assistant he wanted a bag full of cash.

The assistant's girlfriend was pushed to the floor before the robber knocked over a bottle of scotch, snatched cash from the till and three packets of cigarettes from behind the counter.

He then left, heading west along Southwick Square.

Nobody was injured but the assistant and his girlfriend were badly shaken.

Owner Andy Edmonds said: "Anything involving a weapon is pretty nasty. Luckily there wasn't much money in the till, it was in the safe and there was no key, so he didn't get away with much.

"I'm just relieved nobody was hurt. I always tell my staff there's no point being a hero.

"We had another robbery 18 months ago when three people with hoodies came in. It's just the way with off licences.

"It doesn't matter where you are, if you're an off licence you're an easy target."

The robber was white, slim, aged 16 to 20, 5 ft 10 ins tall, wearing a light blue hooded top and light jeans.

Anybody with information about the robbery is asked to call Det Con Dave Stubbings on 0845 6070999.