A SHOPKEEPER has described the heart-stopping moment a robber pulled out a knife and demanded cash.

The man, who has asked not to be named, was working at Topping Fold Convenience Store in Topping Fold Road, Bury, at 10am on March 23.when a man handed him a bag, brandished a knife and ordered: “Put the money in the bag and you won’t get hurt.”

The shopkeeper said: “It was so strange because it was 10am on a Sunday morning and I usually expect people to come in for their Sunday papers.

“When I saw the knife I was scared. It was such a shocking thing to happen. My heart was racing and I could feel the adrenalin pumping.”

The shopkeeper pressed a panic button to alert police and the knifeman ran off towards Bridgefield Drive.

Police have released CCTV images of the robber in a bid to identify him. The shopkeeper said: “He was white and I noticed his right knuckle was pronounced, like he had been in a fight or punched someone. His accent sounded local.”

He added: “I have been here for 19 years and, though something similar happened in the first five years, there has not been anything since.

“All my customers have been so supportive. They have left me some wonderful messages on Facebook.”

Det Con Alison Kay said: “This man pretended to be a customer and threatened the assistant with a large knife in broad daylight. The shop assistant was not harmed but has been traumatised by the offence.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 8568181.