A 41-year-old Chester man has been charged in connection with the robbery of a shop on the campus of the University of Chester in Parkgate Road.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at West Cheshire Magistrates Court in Chester from 8am on Saturday, May 24.

Police divers have spent the day searching waterways near the University of Chester in connection with an investigation into the  armed robbery.

The raid took place  at a shop on the University of Chester campus on Wednesday afternoon.

Police were called to the scene at 3.10pm after a man entered the premises armed with a knife and grabbed a female customer. He threatened her and demanded cash, which staff handed over to the man before he fled on foot.

The 19-year-old woman was left shaken, but uninjured.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said today (Friday May 23): “Police are conducting a search in the surrounding area which includes the use of police divers to search the waterways.”

It is believed the police divers are searching for a bicycle.

A 30-year-old local man, who was arrested at 4.15pm the same day on suspicion of robbery, has been released without charge. However, a 41-year-old local man has now been arrested and charged in connection with this incident.

Police remain keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any part of the incident, or who may have any relevant information. If you can assist, please contact Chester police on the non emergency number 101, quoting incident 519 of May 21. Alternatively, information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers hotline, 0800 555 111