A robber brandishing a handgun left a shop assistant in fear for her life as he stole cash from the till, writes Paul Warner.

The man, in his 20s, threatened the shocked woman before going behind the counter of the One Stop Community Store, Shakespeare Drive, Bicester, and grabbing the day's takings.

The robbery took place at about 7.40pm on Monday.

Shop manager Kelly Bowey said the amount of money taken was small - although she did not want to reveal how much. Mrs Bowey, who was not in the shop at the time, said her 33-year-old female sales assistant, who did not want to be identified, was recovering from the ordeal.

She said: "It was a terrifying thing to go through although, luckily, nobody was hurt in the incident.

"He just calmly asked her for the money and then helped himself to the cash. There was one person behind the till and a few customers but they were too shocked to do anything." "I've been here three years and nothing like this has ever happened before."

The robber was white, thin and clean shaven and just over 6ft tall. He was wearing a burgundy bomber jacket, which he took off shortly after fleeing the scene, a grey T-shirt, jeans and white trainers.

Police said a man matching the description was seen shortly afterwards outside the Esso garage in Oxford Road.

Anyone who saw the raid is asked to contact police on 01869 364555.

Story date: Wednesday 28 April

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