THIEVES got away with over £3,000 in cash after they held a Harlow newsagent at knifepoint.

The manager of Martin's news-agents in Potter Street, Harlow, was opening up at about 6.30am on Monday when he was forced inside at knifepoint to open the safe, police said.

The thieves stole cash and made off through the back door on foot into Red Lion Lane.

The robber armed with the knife was described as white, 6ft 2ins tall, of medium build with a completely shaved head. He wore a black roll-neck top and beige-coloured tracksuit trousers and carried a black rucksack and a serrated hunting knife.

The other man was 6ft 2ins tall, of slim build, wearing dark clothing and had what appeared to be two broken fingers strapped together.

The manager was very shaken but otherwise unhurt. Anyone with information should ring Detective Constable Simon Almond at Harlow police station on 01279 641212.