Masked robbers stole thousands of pounds from an Oxford newsagents on Saturday morning -- the third raid in the area this year.

Two men in balaclavas forced a female shop worker to open the safe at Balfour News in Cherwell Drive, Marston, before making off on foot with several thousand pounds in cash.

The woman had been opening the shop at around 5.30am when the robbers approached her.

Police investigating the raid said she was uninjured but the ordeal had left her badly shaken.

The men were both described as 5ft 7ins tall. One wore a dark blue T-shirt and black jacket with dark blue jeans.

The other wore a dark blue hooded top. Both wore balaclavas, but one man could have been black.

Det Insp Kath Lowe, of Oxford police, said: "I appeal to anyone who may have seen these men, either acting suspiciously in the area before the incident, or as they made off afterwards." The raid is the third on Marston shops this year.

In February thieves stole a substantial amount of cigarettes from the Co-op Swiftshop in Old Marston Road.

In January, thieves fled empty handed after the Range Rover they used to ramraid Salford Stores in Salford Road, New Marston, became stuck in rubble.

The Marston raids are just three of a spate of robberies and break-ins that have taken place at shops across the county in recent months.

On the same day as the Co-op Swiftshop was hit Martin's Newsagents in Summertown was also targeted.

Masked raiders tied up staff at the Tesco petrol station in Eynsham in February before making off with thousands of pounds and armed robbers stole £30,000 from the Co-op in Chipping Norton in January. Anyone with information is requested to call Det Insp Kath Lowe on 08458 505505 orCrimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.