POLICE believe the same man was behind two knifepoint shop robberies within half-an-hour of each other.

The first robbery was at about 9pm on Sunday at the Spar shop in Bedale, North Yorkshire, when a man walked into the store and asked for cigarettes.

He then produced a 12in knife, threatened the shop assistant and demanded money from the till and more cigarettes before fleeing from the store.

The second incident took place at the Co-op Late Shop in Thirsk Market Place at about 9.30pm.

The man entered the store, asked for the same brand of cigarettes - Lambert and Butler, and then threatened the assistant with a knife, this time described as a craft knife.

While a member of staff ran to raise the alarm he helped himself from the open till before running off.

The robber was described as about 20 to 30, wearing a dark sweatshirt with a white motif on the front and a dark baseball cap with red peak.

At the second shop, a similar description was given and additional details included that fact he had rotten teeth and a strange accent.

Anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact Northallerton CID on (01609) 789789.