A masked hooded man brandishing a meat cleaver has attempted to steal cash from a betting shop in Sandwich.

He was chased empty handed from Turf Accountants, Cattle Market, and a quick-thinking onlooker gave chase, taking the registration number of the get-away car.

A member of staff at the business, who did not want to be named, said he was in the shop back office when he suddenly felt someone standing behind him.

"I turned around and saw this young lad standing over me with a meat cleaver which was about a foot long. He was wearing a mask and a hoodie and I thought that it was some sort of joke.

"Then I realised he was serious. He started to get agitated and shoved a carrier bag in my face, telling me to fill it with money."

Police officers were called to the scene at 5.15pm on Tuesday. A police media spokesman said a black Peugeot car was seen being driven away from the area.

* For full story see the East Kent Mercury, March 1.

Anyone with information or any witnesses who have not spoken to Kent Police are urged to ring 101, giving reference ZY/5687 or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on * Robbers raided Coral in Mill Hill, Deal, last week and in November a man stole cash from BetterBet in Deal High Street.0800 555 111