February 8, 2001 16:33: A STORE manager has vowed to keep on working to show the robber who threatened him with a knife and stole cash that he will not be beaten by the incident.

Gareth Lang, of the health food shop, Holland and Barrett, Sycamore Road, Amersham, was serving what he thought was a customer when the man produced a knife and made him open the till and hand over £500 on January 31.

He said: "I call my shop my baby and I don't like anyone to hurt it. Someone has intruded, and it is just not the same now.

"I feel very nervous being in the shop on my own now and I am very wary, especially if a man comes in.

"I have worked in the shop since October and I love my job and being there but it just feels so different.

"I needed time to think what to do next but I have decided that I am not going to let the guy force me out. He won't beat me. I have done nothing wrong.

"But he needs his hands chopped off so he can't do it again."

He said how he was intimidated by the man, and suffered a mild asthma attack after the robbery.

Mr Lang added: "He shouted 'give me the money'. I was so shocked and said 'what'? I couldn't operate the code to get in the till as I was shaking so much.

"He threatened me and told me that he would call in his friend who was waiting outside if I didn't do it, I eventually gave it to him.

"He cut the lead on the telephone and told me to get out the back and close the door.

"It is unfortunate I had so much in the till because we had been busy all day and I wasn't able to empty it."

The man was wearing a woolly hat and dark red jumper. He was Mediterranean looking. He had dark eyes, was of medium build and around 5ft 11in.

The police are appealing for witnesses, especially a woman who was in the shop just before the incident at 4pm.

If you have any information contact PC Jim Reeves on (01494) 465888.