Police are hunting for a knife-wielding robber who threatened to stab a terrified female newsagent in her own shop.

Carol Lewis, 59, was standing behind the counter of her empty store, Wilson's Newsagents, Lydderdale Road, Anchorsholme, when a thin, gaunt man in his early 20s walked in at around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

After calmly making his way behind the counter he pulled out what is believed to be a kitchen knife demanding she hand over cash from the till.

When she hesitated he thrust the knife at her and threatened to stab her if she did not obey.

He ran onto nearby Luton Road, towards the promenade, after Mrs Lewis began screaming for her husband Bill. The 60-year-old chased the man after hearing the commotion from the back room of the shop.

The couple were unharmed during the incident.

Detective Superintendant Andy Lawless who is leading the investigation into the incident,praised the couple for their bravery and is now urging anyone who may have seen the offender to contact them immediately.

Det Supt Lawless said: "I can only commend the Lewis's for refusing to give in to this offender under what can only be described as terrifying circumstances.

"But there is no escaping the fact that this could have been a more serious and potentially tragic incident had the offender decided to use his weapon.

"We're confident that somebody somewhere saw this individual, either before or after the event, or knows something about the incident.

"Their information is vital and we would urge them to contact us immediately in order to stop this man before he strikes again."

The robber was white, aged 20 to 21, around 5ft 8ins to 10ins, of slim build with an extremely pale complexion. He was wearing a mid-blue three-quarter length jacket, dark trousers and what is believed to be a patterned woollen beanie hat.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Supt Lawless on 01253 293933 or, in confidence, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting crime reference AN060/0474.