A KNIFE-wielding thug threatened staff and demanded cash in a raid on a Wirral off-licence last night, Sunday.

Detectives are appealing for information after two female members of staff at Bargain Booze in Pensby Road were held up by a man armed with a kitchen knife shortly before 9pm.

The offender – who wore a scarf over his face – threatened the women and demanded they open the till before escaping with a quantity of cash.

Once outside, he is believed to have got into a light-coloured Ford Fiesta which was parked around the corner in Laurelhurst Avenue.

The car was then driven off towards Heswall.

The Bargain Booze was cordoned off overnight and was examined by crime scene investigators this morning, while neighbourhood officers carried out house-to-house enquiries nearby and reviewed CCTV.

Detective Inspector John Griffith, said: "This would have been a very upsetting and frightening experience for the two members of staff.

“They were just going about their work when the offender has walked in with a hood and scarf hiding his face and armed with a knife. He has demanded cash from the till and they have done the right thing by handing it over.

"The offender walked out but got into a car parked outside so I am keen to hear from anyone who noticed a grey or green Fiesta-style car parked up in any of the streets near this particular Bargain Booze last night just before 9pm.

"The offender may have waited until the shop was quiet so may have been outside for some time and caught someone's attention. I also need to hear from anyone who saw this car leave the area after the robbery took place or where it might be know.

"This was a crime committed against a local business and against two local women so it is important that anyone who knows who is response, comes forward and helps us."

On Wednesday, two female shop assistants at Simply Food and Drinks in Prenton were also threatened by a man armed with a kitchen knife.

Police say they are looking into a number of lines of enquiry but at this stage there is no definitive link between the two incidents.

Anyone with information should call Wirral CID on 0151 777 2265 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.