A masked robber threatened a shop worker with a kitchen knife before stealing hundreds of pounds from the till.

The thief struck The Stores in Gloucester Road, Gravesend, just before 6pm on Saturday.

The incident was caught on the shop's CCTV

The man, wearing a knee-length grey coat and black balaclava, was caught on CCTV entering the shop.

He held up a large silver knife to an employee behind the counter and shouted at him to open the till.

The terrified assistant opened the drawer and the man grabbed handfuls of cash from inside before fleeing. He got away with £520.

A woman was also inside the shop when the robber came in, but when she saw him pull out the knife she fled from the store.

The whole incident was caught on CCTV but the man's face is completely covered.

Shop owner Jeyarajah Jeyanathan said his staff member was very frightened and had been left shaken by the incident.

He added: "He had a large knife, it was a kitchen knife. He banged on the counter and told him to open the till."

The robber's coat appears to have a small orange logo on the shoulder at the back. He was wearing black trousers and black shoes.

Police spokesman Martin Very said: "Officers are investigating a report of robbery at a shop in Gloucester Road, Gravesend, at around 5.50pm on January 8.

"It is alleged the suspect threatened a member of staff with a weapon and stole a quantity cash. "He then ran from the premises towards Ash Road.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Kent Police on 01474 366149, quoting crime reference 46/5026/22.