POLICE have renewed an appeal for help in tracing a knife-wielding robber who demanded cash from a betting shop.

A man wearing a motorcycle helmet entered Coral's, in Church Road, Tiptree, when there were no other customers about.

He approached the counter, produced a knife and pointed it at the manager - aged in his 40s - and demanded money.

There was a safety screen between the pair, and so the manager refused to hand over any cash. The would-be robber left empty-handed.

He was described as white, about 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build and aged in his 20s or 30s. He wore a navy blue bomber jacket, blue jeans and a full-face crash helmet with the black visor pulled down. The red and white helmet had a distinctive pattern on it.

Detectives are appealing for anyone who was in the Church Road area of Tiptree between 9.30am and 10am on Wednesday, September 26, to come forward.

Anyone who might have seen a man fitting the description, possibly getting off a motorbike before the robbery or escaping afterwards, is asked to contact Colchester police on 01206 762212 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police would also like to hear from a number of customers who went into Coral's shortly after the failed robbery took place.