A man who robbed a shop in Kidlington yesterday,made his getaway on a bicycle.

The man went into the Oxford House newsagents, near the junction of Oxford Road and Bicester Road, in Kidlington at 12.20pm. He asked the woman assistant for cigarettes and phone cards but made a grab for the closed till without success.

The woman shouted and he grabbed her round the neck before making off with rolls of National Lottery scratch cards.

A second man was seen nearby on a blue bike and holding another bicycle. They rode off across the main road and along Evans Lane.

The woman was left in a state of shock but unhurt. The shop owner was picked up by a passing car driver in an attempt to find the robber.

He is described as white, about 20, six feet tall, slim build, with a distinctive dark, thin beard. He was wearing a baseball cap and a green top with black stripes on the sleeves. The second man was white and was also wearing a baseball cap.

WP Denise Trafford, said: "We are looking for any witnesses who noticed something suspicious around the shop or saw the two men cycling in the Evans Lane area. We want to trace the man who kindly drove the shop owner around."

Anyone with information should call Kidlington Police on 01865 846950 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.