A would-be robber wearing a red mask over his face threatened a shopkeeper with a knife in Herne Bay.

Police are investigating after the man entered the Kala Convenience Store in Station Road.

He demanded cash before running off towards the railway station empty-handed after the shopkeeper called for help.

Owner Nat Joshi was standing behind the counter when the masked man walked into his shop.

“It was around 7.45pm and there was no one around, the area was pretty quiet," he said.

“A man came into the shop wearing a red mask and gloves. He came up to the counter and he said 'open the till.'

"He came up to the counter and he said 'open the till.'..." - Nat Joshi

“I refused. At first I thought he was joking, and then it dawned on me that it he was serious - he was pointing a knife at me.”

“I shouted and screamed at him and then he ran off out of the shop towards the station.

“I was shocked but you can’t go into a melt down.

“Fortunately he ran off and I’m glad I’m safe. It’s a warning to other shopkeepers to be on their guard.”

“You are taken by surprise. It is shocking.”

The man is described as white, approximately 6ft tall, of slim build and was wearing a grey tracksuit.

Officers would like to hear from anyone who believes they saw him in the area leading up to, during or shortly after the incident, which happened between 7.30pm and 8pm on Friday, March 17.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289, quoting ZY/010658/17.