A knife-wielding robber threatened shop workers during the second armed robbery in Chester in less than a week.

Staff were locking up for the night at the Spar on Long Lane in Upton when the robber walked in and began demanding money.

The masked bandit threatened staff with a knife and stole an unknown amount of cash during the raid at the Long Lane store at just before 11pm yesterday (Saturday, September 13).

The police helicopter circled overhead as police launched a manhunt for the robber, after passers by spotted the commotion and called 999 - the suspect is still at large.

No one is said to have been hurt in the robbery, which is the second time in less than five days that a convenience store in the Chester area has been targeted by armed robbers.

A robber wearing a ‘horror’ mask brandished a knife at staff during a terrifying armed robbery at the Co-Op in Walker Street in Hoole, on Tuesday (September 9).

The man threatened two members of staff and demanded money from the till, before grabbing a stand containing scratch cards, during the raid at 9.30pm.

Police say it is currently unclear whether the two incidents are connected, but are currently visiting all convenience stores and late shops to provide reassurance and advice.

On Thursday (September 11) police issued CCTV images of the robbery in Hoole in a bid to catch the offender, but so far he has not been apprehended.

Detective Constable Stuart Needham said: “We are not sure at this time whether we are looking for one offender or a couple of people doing this.

“We are keeping an open mind at the moment because of the fact that the face covering and clothing are different.”

DC Needham added that no customers were in the store at the time of the robbery at the Spar, which happened as the staff were closing the shop.

Police are appealing for any member of the public who may have witnessed anything suspicious in Upton to call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 1073 of September 13.

Or if you have any information about the Hoole robbery, incident 884 of September 9.

Information can also be left anonymously, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.