AN off-licence boss has spoken of his terror when a knife-wielding raider targeted his Bournemouth shop.

Attol Cook thought the robber was going to attack trainee manager Chris Starzec when he burst into Down The Hatch just before 10.30pm on Tuesday.

"The knife was just a few inches away from Chris's face - the man was very loud and aggressive and he could easily have used the knife at that point" he said.

Mr Cook said he was up a ladder putting pictures on the wall when the raider entered the shop and shouted "Give me the money."

"For the first couple of seconds it didn't register what was happening but as soon as it did I shouted to Chris to give him money from the till" said Mr Cook.

"I don't think he had realised I was there until that point and he turned round and waved the knife at me. Chris opened the till and gave him about £120 and then he ran out of the shop."

Mr Cook said he briefly followed the robber, who fled over a footbridge towards Charminster.

Police hope that high-quality CCTV footage obtained from the scene will help to identify the offender.

He is described as white, 25-35-years-old, around 5ft 6ins to 5ft 8ins tall and of medium build. He had distinctive long sideburns at the time of the robbery.

The suspect was wearing a beige beanie hat, dark sunglasses, a long-sleeved, beige sweatshirt, dark blue tracksuit bottoms with a white emblem and white trainers.

Detective Sergeant Alistair Rogers of Bournemouth CID said: "I'd urge anyone who recognises the man to contact me urgently as this will greatly help my investigation."

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police in confidence on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs could apply. Rewards may be available.