February 6, 2001 9:50: STORE manager Gareth Lang was threatened with a knife and ordered to hand over cash when his shop was raided.

Mr Lang, of 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 give him the £500, last Wednesday.

Mr Lang said: "He shouted 'give me the money'. I was so shocked and said 'what'? There is a code to get in the till and I just couldn't do it 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 take it out the back. I had a mild asthma attack.

"Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I feel very nervous being in the shop on my own now and I am very wary. I have worked in the store since October but I need time to think about it."

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

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