A SHOP assistant was punched unconscious and then tied up while robbers raided the Southampton convenience store where he worked.

The 21-year-old victim was putting papers outside the back door at the Co-op store at Shirley Road when he was thumped in the face, knocking him unconscious.

He was found a short while later by colleagues in a semi-conscious state and with his hands tied behind his back in a backroom. Around £800 had been stolen from the safe and a quantity of cigarettes.

It's thought the robber ran off down Alexandra Road. The alarm at the shop was also cut during the robbery.

Officers are now appealing for anyone who saw anyone suspicious hanging around the area at around 9.on Sunday evening or running away from the shop shortly afterwards.

Anyone who has information about the crime is asked to contact Detective Constable Jo Boyd at Shirley CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.