Two youths yesterday used an eight-inch kitchen knife to hold up a Norfolk bookmakers, escaping with more than £1,500.

Two youths yesterday used an eight-inch kitchen knife to hold up a Norfolk bookmakers, escaping with more than £1,500.

The pair threatened an employee with a long, thin carving knife during the robbery, which took place at 11.20am at Futters bookmakers on Beaconsfield Road, Yarmouth.

The raid happened after a man aged about 20 followed bookmaker Peter Dorner into the empty shop after he had been putting signs up outside.

He made his way into the cashiers' area through a door that should have been locked before brandishing the knife, while less than a metre away, at at the 59 year old, who had worked as a bookmaker since 1977.

Although Mr Dorner was unhurt, he left work shortly after the robbery and yesterday afternoon was said to still be in shock.

Mark Brewer, who arrived for his shift at the small bookie close to Northgate Hospital five minutes after the robbery, said that it was all over within a minute.

“The bloke came charging into the shop and came behind the counter,” he said. “He had a long knife that looked like it had been used lots of times before and threatened Peter with it.

“Peter gave him all the money in the till and in a cash bag underneath it straight away. With the World Cup on and Yarmouth Races, it must have been at least £1,500.

“He then ran off with another man. We think it was through the graveyard as a worker there said he saw two youths running through pretty soon after.”

Mr Brewer said that staff suspected another youth, who had come into the shop minutes before browsing the newspapers before abruptly leaving, of casing the joint.

Police arrived almost immediately and launched a helicopter search of the town, but could not find the youths.

The knife-wielder was yesterday described as white, 19-20, with a thin face, fair hair and scruffy appearance, wearing a dark top with a grey hoodie underneath and dark shell suit bottoms with three stripes down the side.

His accomplice is described as 20-21, wearing a black cap, black shirt or jacket with writing across the front, jeans and dark trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Craig Lovatt on 0845 456 4567.