A YORK mini-market store was held up for the second time this month when a masked robber burst in armed with a meat cleaver.

A man was arrested today in connection with the incident, which happened at about 10.40 last night at the Spar shop in Heworth Road, Heworth.

Police said a balaclava-clad raider wielding the 12in-bladed cleaver threatened staff and demanded money from the till.

When a frightened assistant opened the till, the robber grabbed a small quantity of cash and ran from the store.

He leapt onto the back of a moped, which was waiting outside with a rider already at the controls, and sped off.

Police said that following inquiries a warrant was executed at a house in Cambridge Street, York, at about 4.10am today and a man was arrested. He was today being questioned at York police station in Fulford Road.

The Evening Press reported earlier this month that a masked gunman had burst into the shop and robbed a frightened assistant.

The man pointed a handgun at the male staff member and demanded cash. An armed police unit searched the area but failed to trace him.

A shop worker, who would not be named, said: "It's unbelievable. It doesn't make me feel safe if I'm working on my own."

Ken Gallant, development director of Alfred Jones (Warrington), which owns the store, said it had also suffered about a dozen break-ins at the premises over the last six months.

"Unfortunately, robberies are a common feature of our industry at the moment," he said.

"It's quite extraordinary that the culprits take such massive risks for such small amounts of money.

"Our Heworth store seems to be regularly targeted because of its location. It's a big problem, and staff security is paramount."

Mr Gallant said the shop assistant had been offered counselling.

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or who had any information to come forward.

They can be contacted on 01904 631321.

The robber was wearing a light-coloured top with the hood up. The moped rider was wearing dark coloured clothing.

Updated: 15:19 Wednesday, March 27, 2002