AN ARMED robber made off with a quantity of cash after threatening a shop keeper with a knife at the weekend.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information about the robbery which occurred at the Spar shop, in Main Street, Cross Hills, on Sunday evening.

A spokesman for the police said the offender had entered the shop between 8.30pm and 9pm and produced a red-handled knife before demanding a member of staff empty the till and hand the contents to him.

No one was injured in the incident.

The offender was wearing a dark jacket, dark trousers and white trainers. He was also wearing a woolly type hat which seems to have been rolled down into a balaclava prior to committing the offence. The offender made off on foot from the store with an amount of cash.

The spokesman said: "A member of the public walked passed the front door to the Spar shop wearing a white/light coloured coat as the offender left the store shortly after 8.45pm.

"We are requesting the public’s assistance to help establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

"In particular, we are appealing for information about the offender or anyone who saw someone matching the suspect’s description near to the Spar shop on Sunday evening. We would also like to speak to the person wearing the white/light coloured coat as they may have important information that could assist the investigation.

"Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 12190012176."