A SHOP manager was threatened with a knife and held hostage for more than an hour until has assailant was able to empty the safe.

The manager of the Lidl Supermarket in Quarry Hill Road, Tonbridge, arrived at the store on the A26, at about 6am on Saturday when he was confronted by a man in his early 30s and threatened with a knife.

The manager did not have the keys to the safe with him, and he was forced to wait inside until more staff arrived with the key at 7am. The robber then used the key to unlock the safe and empty its cash into a blue holdall before making his getaway on foot.

Police have launched an appeal for any information. The offender was described as white, about 6ft, aged 30 to 35, wearing a white baseball cap, a beige or cream shell-suit jacket, white jogging trouser bottoms with two blue stripes down each leg, and white trainers.

Witnesses are asked to phone Kent Police on 01622 690690 or they can leave an anonymous message on the Crimestopper line on 0800 555111.