A man described as having a "Croydon accent" robbed a Crawley newsagent at gunpoint on Christmas eve, making off with £4000 worth of cash and cigarettes.

The masked suspect entered Martin’s newsagents in Southgate Parade at around 6.08am, approaching the store manager.

Pointing what is believed to be a handgun at the victim, he demanded the contents of the till and the safe.

After locking the victim in the staff toilet, he fled the premises with more than £1,000 in cash and approximately £3,000 worth of cigarettes.

He is described as mixed race, about 5'8" and as having spoken with a Croydon accent.

He was wearing a dark grey Nike hooded jumper with paint marks on the arms and back, dark coloured tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

His face was covered by a black scarf and a black hat, and he also wore red gloves with black palms.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 141 of 24/12.

Alternatively, you can visit the Crimestoppers website or contact the independent charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.