A schoolgirl shop assistant was left shocked and traumatised after a robber threatened her before rifling the till.

The 16-year-old girl, who was working for pocket money at the Woodlands post office and shop in Stutton Road, Tadcaster, was told she would be assaulted if she did not co-operate.

The masked raider then bundled her out of the way before making off with a small quantity of cash from the till.

Wearing a black woollen hat and scarf to cover his face, he then ran off in the direction of Stutton.

The incident happened just after 2pm yesterday at a time when the post office section was closed.

Selby-based Detective Sergeant Dave Pegg said the intruder pushed the shop assistant aside, although no weapon was seen.

He said: "It was a terrifying experience for the young girl, and sensibly she stood well back.

"She was extremely shocked and upset, but thankfully unhurt.

"We have traced a female customer who was in the shop just before the incident, but we also want to speak to another woman who we believe bought a newspaper while the robber was actually inside.

"She obviously didn't think anything was wrong at the time, and we are anxious to talk to her, or anyone else who was in that part of Tadcaster at around 2pm."

Det Sgt Pegg said he believed the robber possibly got into a vehicle.

The attacker is described as dark-skinned, 5ft 10in, and about 20 years old. He was wearing a black jacket and dark trousers.

A woman assistant at the shop said today that the girl, a pupil at Tadcaster Grammar School, had been working part-time at the shop for almost two years.

Shop owner Barry Hanby said all his four shops in Tadcaster had now been broken into or held up by robbers, including the Chocolate Box where a woman assistant was held at knife-point.

Mr Hanby said: "It's got so bad, we have an awful job getting girls to work in the shops."

Anyone with information should contact DS Pegg on 01904 669651.

Updated: 15:45 Monday, January 15, 2001