Terry and Mandy Pallot have had their share of burglaries from Dolphin Stores – now armed robbers have struck at the popular Vale convenience shop. (0830734)

THIEVES made off with a day’s takings after an armed raid at Dolphin Stores.

More than £700 was taken from the till at the shop in La Rochelle, Vale, at 3.45pm on Saturday afternoon. It is believed that a knife was used in the robbery.

A lone female shop assistant was left shaken after she was told to hand over the money.

Terry Pallot, who runs the shop with his wife, Mandy, was shocked by the incident.

‘In 13-and-a-half years we’ve had five overnight break-ins,’ he said. ‘But this is the first day-light robbery, and the last I hope.’

Mr Pallot had spent the day on the beach with his wife and knew nothing of the theft until his wife received a frantic call from the shop assistant. They told her to call the police before racing to the scene.

‘She was behind the counter shaking,’ he said. ‘She was upset and nearly in tears. She was by herself, which is probably why she got targeted.’

Two local men were arrested yesterday and are helping police with their enquiries.

• Officers are keen to speak to a woman who was in the shop moments after the robbery.  They would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen a black sports-style car in the area of the Dolphin Stores or the surrounding lanes between 3pm and 4pm that day.