A TERRIFIED shop assistant was threatened with a knife during an armed robbery.

The 21-year-old man was working at The Local off-licence on Stacey’s Corner, Timberlog Lane, Basildon, when the raider burst in and demanded bottles of booze and cash from the till.

He then leapt over the counter and pulled the knife on the terrified employee, again demanding he hand over cash.

The victim gave up £100 and the robber fled.

Detectives probing the raid are appealing for witnesses and they have also released a CCTV image of a man they are looking to trace in connection with the robbery.

Investigating officer Det Con Andrew Rowe said: “A young man was just doing his job when this raider burst in, brandishing a knife.

“This must have been extremely frightening for the victim, but thankfully he was uninjured, although he was left shaken.

“We have a very clear CCTV image of the man we believe to be responsible and would ask the public to see if they recognise this suspect so we can get the person responsible locked up.”

The robber was a white man, aged between 43 and 49 and around 5ft 8ins tall.

He was clean shaven, but had a “grubby” appearance and wore a dark blue woollen hat with a logo on the front, a black plastic bomber jacket and dark blue jeans.

Witnesses to the robbery, which happened at 3.20pm on Saturday, or anyone who recognises the man can contact Det Con Rowe at Billericay CID on 0300 3334444 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.