Thieves have been financing their Christmas by raiding small shops and off-licences in a North Yorkshire town.

Police are linking a spate of robberies in Harrogate, which began at Blockbusters video hire shop in Knaresborough Road, at about 5.30pm, on December 19.

A man threatened the assistant with a knife and escaped with a small amount of cash from the till.

Another raid took place at 9.25pm the following day at the Tesco Express store 100 yards away, although staff told detectives the man with the weapon may have had an accomplice.

On Boxing Day, the Booze Busters off-licence, in Skipton Road, and Threshers, in Leeds Road, were both targeted - the first on the north side of town at 4pm and the second, south of the town centre, at 7.35pm.

The most recent raid happened at Wineways, in Regent Parade, at 5.20pm on Friday.

Police are urging other small shops to be on their guard and issued descriptions of two suspects they want to interview in connection with the robberies.

Both are white, of average height, slim and wore dark woolly hats and tops, which were zipped up to the chin.

One is gaunt, with a prominent jaw and a pock-marked face and may have been wearing a fleece or jacket with an oval motif on the chest.

Police believe a kitchen knife was used.

Anyone who recognises the descriptions, or who suspects they know the men responsible, is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.