A man who threatened a member of staff with a knife in a robbery at a Co-op store in Darwen has been jailed for more than two years.

Appearing at Preston Sessions House, Alec Harris, 27, was sentenced for robbery, attempted robbery and possession of a bladed article, relating to the incident on June 20.

Harris, of Astbury Chase, Darwen, entered the Co-op store in Blackburn Road at 8.20pm with his hood up. He picked up a box of lager before approaching the till.

CCTV footage showed how Harris waited while a member of the public paid for their shopping before moving towards the till.

While the checkout worker, Mr Lister, scans the beer, Harris moved round to the side of the till, prompting Mr Lister to close the screen door.

Prosecuting, Paul Brookwell described how Harris then moved forward with a knife in his right hand, demanding the till be opened.

Mr Lister opened the till and moved back, and while still pointing the knife at Mr Lister, Harris took a quantity of cash out of the till, before leaving the store.

Outside, Harris is then again caught on CCTV approaching two children in their early teens.

Harris ran at the boys asking, ‘can I have your bikes?’ and then attempted to steal them, but the kids managed to get away on their bikes.

After this Harris stayed in the area, going to the Conservative Club and spending some of the money he had just stolen.

He then called for a taxi, went home and admitted his offending to his father, who kicked him out, and police arrested Harris on June 24.

He made no comment in interview, but later pleaded guilty to all charges.

Mr Brookwell said Harris has previous convictions, with his most recent sentencing being in April of this year, for common assault.

In mitigation for Harris, Neil Howard told the court Harris felt ‘extreme regret’ and ‘remorse’ and there was little planning in the events.

He said Harris was in the grips of alcohol and drug addiction at the time of the offences.

Passing sentence, Recorder Barry Searle said his victim was "terrified" and while the robbery was unplanned, he went to a the shop armed with a knife.

Harris was sentenced to two years and eight months imprisonment for robbery and was given concurrent sentences for possession of a bladed article and two counts of attempted robbery.