POLICE were today hunting a robber who smashed a bottle over the head of a shop owner before escaping with cash from the till.

The incident occurred only hours after a raid on a city centre travel agency by robbers armed with a knife.

Detectives hunting the robber who threatened the owner of Brenda's Mini-market in Gerard Avenue, Burnholme, say he picked up a bottle inside the shop and ordered the proprietor, Mohammed Rayaz, to open his till.

He then smashed the bottle over Mr Rayaz's head and grabbed £300 before fleeing the scene.

Police said Mr Rayaz escaped serious injury and only had a cut to his face after the attack, which happened at about 7.45pm last night.

One of the shop assistants, who lives nearby, said her boss had knocked on her door after the robbery.

"He was shocked and covered in red wine, and said he had been hit with a bottle," she said. "I helped him clean up and then shut the shop for him."

The man was seen in the store on two previous occasions that day and police urged anyone who may have seen him hanging around the area to contact them.

He is aged between 35 and 40 years, of swarthy Italian appearance and had a black moustache. He was wearing grey trousers and a pale blue shirt.

Meanwhile, police today released a description of the knife used in the attack at Going Places in Piccadilly, as reported in later editions of the Evening Press.

It had an eight-inch blade, a black plastic handle and a smooth cutting edge.

The staff who faced the knifeman and his accomplice believe the blade was new.Police are appealing for shop assistants who may have sold a knife matching the description to come forward.

Police also revealed that as well as a "substantial" amount of cash the robbers also stole European and American currency and travellers' cheques.

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