A supermarket cashier was held at knifepoint by armed robbers in a violent robbery on Sunday night.

The two armed men, one wielding a knife, the other a club, burst into the Arnold's Supermarket on St. John's Road, Pembroke, just after 10.p.m.

As staff and customers scattered, one of the men grabbed a cashier from behind, held a knife to her neck and demanded that she open the till. He eventually released her when the store manager stepped in and agreed to open up the till.

The second robber threatened another cashier with a stick until she opened a till and handed over a bag of cash.

The two men then fled, running along Underhill Crescent.

The two women cashiers were said to be extremely shaken by the incident.

The amount of money stolen has not been disclosed.

Store manager Mitchell Fote said: "It was frightening -- these guys were really aggressive. Everyone has been shaken up by this.'' Store owner Frank Arnold praised Mr. Fote for his calm actions.

"The two cashiers were screaming but the store manager acted very calmly,'' he said.

"He did the right thing. At the end of the day it's only money and the important thing is that nobody got hurt.'' The raid was captured on the store's security cameras, which are now being studied by Police.

The first robber is described as about five feet five inches tall, medium build, white or light skinned and wearing a bluish grey jacket, black pants and gloves and a white motorbike helmet. His face was covered with a bright green mask.

The second robber is described as being about the same height and build and was wearing a pair of black pants, a black and white jacket, white sneakers, yellow gloves and a blue helmet. Both men are thought to be in their twenties.

Anyone with any information should contact Det.Insp. Steven Shaw at Central CID on 295-0011.

Police are particularly anxious to speak to shop customers who were at the store when the robbery took place. They also want to hear from an anonymous caller who telephoned Police shortly after the robbers escaped.