At around 9.40pm, two men wearing white boiler-suits and balaclavas walked into Threshers off-license in Essex Street and threatened the member of staff with a knife. They stole the till and cash from the safe.

Det Con Steve Brown, of Newbury CID, said: “The men ran out of the shop with around £1,800 and drove off in a red Nissan Sunny, registration M202 0SS, which was stolen from Rectory Close in Newbury on Wednesday (22/3). This car was also seen in Derby Road earlier in the evening acting suspiciously.

“I appeal to anyone who was in this area of Newbury yesterday evening and saw two men and a car of this description acting suspiciously to contact police immediately.

“Thankfully the 24-year-old male shop assistant wasn’t injured but has been left shaken by the events of last night.”

Anyone with information that could assist police inquiries is urged to contact Det Con Brown in Newbury CID via the police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.