THIS CCTV image shows a hooded man during a robbery of a valleys newsagent yesterday.

Two masled men made a shop worker kneel on the floor as they stole cash from the shop in Sebastopol. At around 5am, two male workers at the Reliance General Store on South Street, Sebastopol, were confronted by the men who demanded money and made off with £400 in cash from the till.

The pair then ran off, possibly in the direction of the canal, while staff contacted the shop's owner Amit Kris Patel, 49, who called the police.

Nobody was hurt in the incident but Mr Patel said his workers were very shaken.

CCTV footage shows one of the men pointing to the worker kneeling on the floor as if he had a weapon in his hand, but the man's clothes cover up his hand. Police are examining the footage.

Mr Patel said: “I cannot put it into words how I feel. It is always the innocent people who pay, not the criminals.”

Police taped off an area around the shop yesterday morning and a police officer stood guard until it reopened around 1pm. Mr Patel has owned the business for the past 13 years and says there have been three attempted break-ins and four robberies during that time.

He said cigarettes and mobile phone cards have been stolen in the past but this is the first time cash has been taken.

The shop is fully alarmed, has CCTV both inside and outside and metal gates on the front and back doors to deter thieves.

Mr Patel said: “How much more can I do?

"I could shut up shop today and the criminals would have won but the people around here will suffer.

“They need to get the laws amended in this country and we need the death penalty back, that will be a deterrent.”

Police said the men were white and around 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in tall.

One was wearing a red hooded top with dark bottoms. The other was wearing a blue hooded top and dark bottoms.

Both men had the hoods of their tops up and covered the bottom of their faces with scarves.

The men were seen walking up and down the street before the robbery.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call Gwent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.