A shop assistant had a 12 inch knife held to her chest during a robbery at a Costcutter store in Cornwall on Wednesday.

Police investigating the knifepoint robbery at a shop in Par are appealing for information.

A man, brandishing a 12 inch carving knife, entered the Costcutter store on Par Green, Par, at around 8.15pm on Wednesday 7 January 2015.

He held the knife to the female shop assistant’s chest and demanded money. The attacker made off with a quantity of Sterling branded cigarettes and cash.

The man is described as white, around 20 to 30, 6ft and of slim to medium build.

He was wearing a black hooded top, black tracksuit bottoms with a thin white stripe down the sides, and his face was covered with black material.

Detective Constable Steve White, based in St Austell, said: “We believe this is an isolated incident and are keen to speak to anyone who saw a man matching the description running away from the shop in Eastcliffe Road or Par Green.

“We would also like to hear from anyone who has been offered cigarettes for sale or has heard someone boasting about recently obtaining money with no explanation for where it came from.”

Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation is asked to call police on 101 quoting CR/001751/15, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org