DRINKERS enjoying a Saturday night out at a local pub may be able to help trace a knife-wielding robber who terrorised shop staff during a late-night raid.

Police are hunting the armed robber who escaped with hundreds of pounds after holding up an off license on the outskirts of Durham City over the weekend.

The robber struck at the Bells Stores premises in Canterbury Road, in the Newton Hall area of the city at around 10pm on Saturday.

The robber, who is thought to be in his early 20s and wearing a scarf around his face to conceal his identity, walked into the shop when there were no customers present, wielding what appeared to be a large kitchen knife with a blade several inches long.

He demanded money from the two women shop staff, who were both in their 30s, ordering them to the back of the shop before he went behind the counter and grabbed more than £200 in cash from the till.

He then fled from the premises, turning right at the door and jumping over a neighbouring wall before running off towards the York Crescent area.

Police were called and brought in dogs to carry out a thorough search of the area, but found no trace of the robber.

The robber was around 6ft 2 tall and of thin build. He spoke with a local accent and was wearing a black woolly hat, a red scarf pulled up over his face and a grey pullover.

Detectives hope that drinkers making their way to and from a next door pub may have seen the man in the moments before and after the robbery.

Detective constable Siobhan Jones, of Durham CID, said: "The Jovial Monk pub is right next door to the shop, so there is a chance that anyone heading to the pub that night may have seen this man going into or leaving the store.

"The two shop assistants were left badly shaken by the incident and we are hoping someone will recognise the description of the robber and get in touch."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to ring police on 0845 6060365 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.