Police have released this new picture of the man who has struck fear into Worthing shopkeepers with a sawn-off shotgun.

The image is taken from CCTV footage of a raid at the Thresher off-licence in Church Road, Tarring, where the raider has struck twice.

Officers are so concerned about the robber, who has carried out nine attacks since December, that they have put up a £10,000 reward.

The investigation is being headed by Detective Inspector Jeff Riley, whose team has now been expanded to 50 officers, some drafted in from other divisions.

He said: "I think we will catch this man with the help of the public. He is recognisable from that video still and if anybody knowing him sees it and knows it's him, I would urge them to come forward and tell us his name to put a stop to these offences.

"Hopefully someone must know this man and we will treat their information in the strictest confidence. This man needs to be stopped."

He added: "We are doing everything we can to catch this guy with a large number of police officers from this division and specialist officers from other divisions.

"The fear is that this guy, brandishing a sawn-off shotgun, is at large. The fact that he's happy to carry this weapon, and use it in the manner he has, causes us concern but there has been no threat to discharge it."

The first robbery took place on December 28 at the Murco Garage in Sompting Road, followed by two on Janaury 4 and 8 at the Texaco Garage on Heene Road.

He then struck at the BP Garage on Brighton Road on January 13 and the Village Stores on Church Road in Tarring on January 29.

The Thresher off-licence in Church Road in Tarring was hit on January 17 and February 4 and the Spar shop in Heene Road on February 8.

The latest robbery was at Pickwick News, Brighton Road, on February 9 and it is believed he has got away with up to £2,000 so far.

He is white, in his late teens or early 20s, about 5ft 8in to 5ft 11in tall, with a prominent nose, sometimes with a plaster on his face. He often wears a hooded beige top over a blue jacket.

Police have warned people not to approach him. Anyone with any information should call DC Amanda Lawrence on 0845 6070999 ext 81256.