POLICE are investigating what they believe to have been an armed robbery at Spar in Bettws, Newport, on Sunday morning.

Gwent Police are appealing for people with information to come forward after a man, described as white, came into the shop and demanded money from the shop assistant at around 7am.

The offender is believed to have had a knife with him, described by police as a “bladed object”.

A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “A quantity of cash was taken and the offender left the store.

“Two female shop assistants were present at the time of the incident. Neither were harmed. There were no customers in the store at the time. Enquiries are currently ongoing to locate the offender.”

The shop was closed for several hours as police investigated the incident but it had reopened by 11.30am.

Neighbours spoke on Facebook of seeing police outside the store at Bettws Shopping Centre, saying police had interviewed local people in a bid to find out what happened.

Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting log number 149 21/09/14.