A KNIFE-WIELDING robber held up a newsagents in Wickford last night.

A man walked in to SRK News in Runwell Road, at about 6.50pm and took a drink from the fridge.

He went to the counter, pulled out a knife and demanded the female shop assistant hand over cash from the till.

The woman told the robber that he was on camera and he he fled.

He went back down the High Street in the general direction of the railway station.

The suspect was white with a pale complexion, aged in his mid twenties and 5ft 10 inches to 5ft 11 inches tall.

He was wearing a grey baseball cap, a beige checked 'Burberry style' scarf and light blue tracksuit jacket.

Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time and remembers seeing the man, or recognises him from the description, to contact Pc Emma Henderson at Basildon CID on 101.

Or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.