POLICE are investigating after an armed robber with a painted face struck in Darlington this afternoon.

At around 12.30pm the robber, whose face was painted white, walked into Biglins Newsagents, in West Auckland Road, and threatened the cashier with a knife.

The 40-year-old cashier handed over money from the till and the thief made off on foot in an unknown direction.

The thief is white, around 6ft tall and of slim build with a local accent. He is also thought to be in his late teens or early twenties and was wearing jeans and a white or grey hooded top.

Detective Inspector Wendy Tinkler, from Darlington CID, said: “This was clearly a very distressing incident for the cashier who has been left shaken although otherwise unharmed.

“With this in mind I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time mentioned or anyone who can help us identify this man.

“The incident happened over the lunchtime period in a particularly busy area of Darlington, I am hopeful someone may have seen something that can help my investigation.”

Anyone with any information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.