A shop assistant's glasses may have saved her from being blinded during an attempted robbery in Oxford.

A man in his 60s pulled an aerosol -- believed to contain Deep Heat muscle relaxant -- from a shopping bag in the CostCutters store in Iffley Road and sprayed it in her face while demanding cash.

When she refused, he fled towards Donnington Bridge Road.

The victim, who was in her 30s, was shocked but not seriously harmed.

The raider was about 5ft 5in, stocky, with greying, short hair, and wearing a light-coloured open-necked shirt and grey trousers.

Pc Miranda Moore, of Cowley police, said: "The incident left the woman extremely shaken. She could have been worse if she had not been wearing glasses."

Anyone with information about the incident on June 12 between 12.15pm and 12.25pm, should call Oxford CID on 01865 266333, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.