DETECTIVES investigating a knifepoint robbery at a Southampton convenience store are appealing for witnesses.

Police said two youths, aged between 14 and 18, had gone into the Alldays store in Burgess Road, Swaythling, on three occasions at 6pm, 7pm and 8.30pm on Monday.

On the first two occasions, they left the premises quickly, but on the third they were asked to leave by staff.

At that point, one of the teenagers leaned over the shop counter, grabbed a knife and threatened a male member of staff with it.

The pair then grabbed a mobile phone from the counter, and verbally threatened a woman sales assistant before leaving the store.

Detectives believe the robbers ran along Burgess Road in the direction of the Southampton University buildings.

Neither of the shop workers was injured, but were very shaken by the incident. No money was stolen.

DC Chris Mallinson, of Bitterne CID, said: "This was an extremely frightening incident and it is fortunate that no one was injured.

"We know from studying CCTV that there were at least six customers in the shop at the time, including a number of children, and we are very keen to speak to those people."

Anyone who saw two youths acting suspiciously in the Burgess Road area is urged to call Bitterne CID on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.