A knifeman struck in the same shopping square on consecutive nights.

Police are linking the raids in which terrified staff were robbed at knifepoint.

Assistants at Ladbrokes betting shop in Southwick Square, Southwick, were just about to close on Tuesday night when the drama happened.

A man emerged from a toilet and threatened the cashier and his assistant with a knife. He grabbed £1,500 from the till before escaping across the square just after 9.30pm.

He was seen by a woman and five teenagers hiding some of the cash in Croft Avenue a few minutes later. They alerted police who used a dog to search the area.

The raider escaped but the dog found other items, including a cash bag.

Both betting shop staff, aged 19 and 22, were shocked but unhurt during the robbery.

The raid happened exactly 24 hours after Huttons Off Licence at the other end of Southwick Square was held up.

The robber again waited until closing time, pulled out a knife and demanded a bag full of cash from an 18-year-old assistant.

The assistant's girlfriend, who was waiting with him for the shop to close, was pushed to the floor before the knifeman escaped.

Owner Andy Edmonds said: "We were done on Monday and the bookie was done last night.

"Whoever it was waited until closing time in both cases.

"They got less than £100 from us."

In both cases the robber was 5ft 10in, about 20, skinny with blond hair and brown eyes. He wore a light blue hoodie during the first raid and a dark blue one for the second robbery.

Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harsley said: "We believe the two robberies are linked. We are actively pursuing leads but appeal for witnesses to come forward.

"We would like to thank the local youths who helped to retrieve some of the cash."