Two men robbed a convenience store at knifepoint - forcing staff to flee into a back room and open safe.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at the Tesco Express store in Denmark Villas, Hove last night.

Two men went into the shop at about 10.15pm one of them jumped over the tills, threatened a staff member with a knife and stole cash from the till. The other man then forced two other staff into a back room and made them open the safe. He stole bags of coins worth about £1,000 which he loaded into a trolley and then left the shop.

No one in the store was injured. Following a search by police, a 53-year-old man was arrested nearby on suspicion of robbery and is currently in custody.

Police are still looking for the other suspect. Both men wore balaclavas and dark clothing. There was also a report of an older style silver VW car with dents to its bodywork outside the store at the time with its engine running. Police want to identify the vehicle and its driver.

Detective Sergeant James Meanwell said: "This was a frightening ordeal for the staff. We want to hear from anyone who witnessed the robbery, saw the suspects leaving the store or this vehicle parked outside."