A shop worker has told how she feared for her life as a robber held a blade to her face.

The mother-of-three has been unable to eat properly since the raider threatened to harm her in an off-licence.

Detectives today released a CCTV picture of the man they are hunting for the crime.

The woman, who is not being named and was grabbed round the throat by the robber, said: "I was afraid for my life. Your mind just turns to jelly and you can't think logically. He was as cool as a cucumber.

"He was quite calm. When I saw the knife I realised how serious it was and that I could get hurt."

The robber entered Unwins, in High Street, Uckfield, and asked the shop assistant for a bottle of spirits and cigarettes.

While her back was turned, he pulled out a knife and ordered her to open the till.

The victim said: "I heard a noise and turned round. He grabbed my throat and was swearing and telling me to open the till. I stood there with my hands up to show submission.

"He was saying, "I'll hurt you'. He held what looked like a Stanley knife close to my face. He had his hand round my throat and was squeezing. It hurt."

The robber left with money and cigarettes following the raid at about 8.35pm on Wednesday.

The victim said: "My stomach is still all trembly and I can't eat anything."

Detective Constable Ian Webb, of Haywards Heath CID, said: "

"It was a particularly nasty attack on a member of staff going about a normal day's work.

"I would appeal for anyone who knows who he is to contact the police."

The robber is in his late 20s or early 30s and about 5ft 8in. He was wearing a dark baseball cap, a dark denim-type jacket and had a front tooth missing.

Contact Det Con Webb on 0845 6070999.