A MASKED knifeman who robbed a shop is being hunted by police.

A man armed with a blade held up a newsagent on Princes Street, Shiney Row, at around 7pm on Saturday night.

He threatened the shop assistant before demanding cash and making off.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Nobody was injured during the incident but the member of staff was left shaken.

“The man is described as wearing a black jacket and dark coloured trousers, with a balaclava covering his face.”

Police are appealing for witnesses, anyone who was in the area and who may have seen or heard anything suspicious, is asked to contact police quoting reference 888/100/318.