A SHOP manager has told how she was threatened by a knife-wielding robber who struck on Christmas Eve.

The woman was alone in the shop by the magazine stand when the man walked in to Martin’s newsagents in Abbey Road, Popley at 7.30am.

The 29-year-old manager, who did not want to be named, told The Gazette: “He came in with a knife in his hand and said he wanted money from the till.

“I had to go to the till and get the money, and then he said he wanted cigarettes. There wasn’t a lot of money in the till because I had only just opened.”

She added: “He seemed a bit nervous and I don’t think it was planned. It was scary but that is the second time that has happened to me working here.”

The manager said that after the last robbery, in November 2011, she left the country, but has since returned to work in the store.

The robber, who made off with £200 in cash and several boxes of cigarettes, is described as black, around 6ft and of medium build.

He was wearing a black coat with the hood pulled up and a bandana across his face. He also wore blue jeans and blue trainers.

Appealing for information, Detective Constable Nick Hines said: “There may have been several people going to work or getting a newspaper at the time of the robbery.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Hines, at Basingstoke police station, on 101.