A post office employee was threatened with a knife and sustained cuts to his mouth during an armed robbery.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which rook place in Chieveley High Street on Monday, February 18 at around 6pm.

The offender demanded money from the till before attacking the victim, who was left with a cut to his mouth and a chipped tooth.

He did not require hospital treatment.

The shop owner entered the shop from the store room and the offender fled the shop empty handed before running off in the direction of Downs End.

The offender is described as a white man with a slim face and patchy black facial hair.

He was wearing a royal blue windbreaker coat with the hood pulled up over his head. He was also wearing baggy grey tracksuit bottoms and spoke with possibly an eastern European accent.

Investigating officer detective constable Michael Watts, of Force CID at Newbury police station, said: "This was a frightening ordeal for the victim, and I am appealing for anybody who witnessed the incident or saw a man running from the scene who matches the description to contact police.

"If anybody has any dash-cam footage from around the time of the incident, please also get in touch."

Anyone with any information is urged to call the 24-hour non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 43190052499.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or make a report online.