MASKED men wielding a knife attempted to rob an off licence in St Albans, police have revealed.

They say two men entered Waverley Stores in Waverley Road, at 10.45pm on Friday, June 1, and demanded that the till was opened.

Officers say when the shop attendant refused, one of the men threatened him with a knife while the other attempted to walk behind the counter.

The victim managed to call 999 and the men left the shop empty handed. It is believed they walked away along Waverley Road in the direction of St Albans City Hospital.

One of the men is described a black, aged 17 to 18, around 5 feet 10 inches tall and of a slim build. He was wearing a dark blue jacket with the hood up and a scarf over his face.

The second man was also black, aged 17 to 18, around 5 feet 10 inches tall and of a slim build, but he was described as having yellowish eyes. He was wearing a dark coat with a dark hood up and a scarf over his face. He was also carrying a black and white rucksack with straps on both shoulders.

Anyone with information can telephone police on the non emergency number 101.