A shop owner has spoken after a teenager brandished a machete at staff in a terrifying post office robbery.

The teen walked into Foord Post Office in Black Bull Road, Folkestone at around 5pm, threatening staff with the 2ft weapon and demanding they handed over money.

He ran off with a money box full of cash towards the back of the sports centre in Radnor Park.

No-one was injured and officers have since recovered the weapon, which was new and unscratched and had a black plastic handle with the logo Am-Tech.

The offender is described as white, in his late teens, 5ft 11in with slim build and dark brown hair.

He had a distinctive black scarf wrapped around his face with a grey and white stripe, and was wearing a black jacket.

Forensics officers spent around two hours combing the post office for clues last night.

Police are also examining a silver Carrera Kraken mountain bike, which it is thought to have belonged to the offender but was left at the scene as he was chased by a customer.

The post office's owner, father-of-two Bas Basra, 35, told KentOnline: "It seemed like the robber had left it for his escape, but one of my customers chased him so he ran away on foot. We can't open again until we've done an audit to find out how much was stolen. It will probably be on Tuesday."

Only one staff member was in the shop at the time. Mr Basra said he rushed from nearby Hawkinge to the scene when he heard what happened.

He added: "It seemed like quite a desperate attempt. He should definitely be locked up when he's caught. If he can do that in an enclosed space what can he do to someone else?"

Det Insp Mark Fairhurst said: "We have taken the step of releasing these images of the machete and bike used in the raid in the hope that it will bring forward new leads.

"We are especially keen to speak with anyone who may have recently sold a machete knife to any male matching the offender's description, as the weapon appears to be new."

Anyone with information should call police on 01622 690690 quoting call log 21-0983. To remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Full interview with Bas Basra in the Kentish Express, out this Thursday