A SHOPPER managed to scare off a knife-wielding man who had threatened till staff for cash.

A cashier, who had been working on his own, was held at knifepoint by a man demanding money from the till.

The member of staff at The Willows convenience store in Colchester had been working over the lunch period when a man came into the shop.

The cashier’s boss said the man had held a knife to the member of staff, asking him to hand over money.

Thankfully, before the frightened cashier could hand over any cash, a shopper walked through the door.

It was enough to scare off the man, who fled from the shop empty handed.

The shop owner said: “He wasn’t wearing a mask or anything but he kept his face hidden.

“He ran away when a customer came in and I’m sure he can’t live far from here.

“Police have been in looking at the CCTV footage we have in the shop, hopefully they will be able to get a picture from that.”

He said although the cashier was left shaken up, he was not injured and no money was taken.

The knife-wielding man had entered the store in The Willows at about 1.46pm yesterday.

Anyone who saw someone running from the shop or acting suspiciously in the area should call police on 101.