A SALES assistant was threatened with a large knife held to his throat as a "cool and calm" robber stole hundreds of pounds from the safe.

Simon Cojeen, 29, was left with scratches to his neck after his terrifying ordeal as he was closing up the Dreams store in Willis Way at 8pm on Wednesday.

"I was in the army for eight years," said the ex-paratrooper. "I've served in Kosovo, the Gulf in 1991 and Ireland. But you don't expect this in a bed shop in the middle of Poole."

He said: "As I went to lock the doors someone came in behind me and held a knife to my throat."

Taken to the till where there was no cash the knifeman then took him to the safe, still with the eight to nine inch carving knife to this throat, and emptied it.

"I was really nervous of him because he kept moving the knife around against my throat. I think his hands were sweaty and he was getting a better grip.

"I was just trying to keep as rigid as possible really and get him out of there as quickly as possible," said Simon, who has worked at the store for a year.

The man was really cool and collected and seemed to know the layout of the store, said Simon, who lives in Bournemouth.

As soon as the robber left Simon called 999 and armed officers searched the area and used the force helicopter, but without success.

"The robber ran across Willis Way towards PC World and Broadstone Way with what has been described as a large carving knife in his possession," said Det Sgt Ben Hargreaves of Poole CID.

The man they are seeking is described as white, around 6ft tall and of medium build. He was wearing a green parka-style coat with fur hood done up.

"Someone - perhaps several people - know or suspect they know who carried out this robbery and I am appealing for those people to examine their consciences and call Dorset Police as soon as possible," said DS Hargreaves.

The police can be contacted in confidence on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

First published: November 5