THE grandfather of shop assistants threatened in an armed robbery has renewed his appeal for information.

Sian MacRae, 18, was working with her sister Jodie Weston, 25, at the MacRae's First Stop in Huntington Road, when a man armed with a gun entered on August 28 and ordered Jodie give him the money from the till. He escaped with less than £200 and several packets of cigarettes.

Their grandfather Derek Thornton, of Fulford, offered a £1,000 reward to anyone who could provide information which led to the conviction of the robber, and a 19-year-old man was arrested in connection with the crime at a house in Greenfields, off Haxby Road, on September 3.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said yesterday the teenager had answered bail earlier this month and was released with no further action to be taken.

Mr Thornton said he was disappointed by the lack of progress in the investigation, and renewed his offer for information which could help police.

He said: "It's regretful someone hasn't been arrested and charged.

"The offer is renewed and if someone does come to completion it will put a smile on my face. I'm sure they they will be disappointed at the shop as well, and we hope it's just a matter of time until someone is identified and arrested and charged. It will ease our minds, to know that justice has prevailed."

The police spokesman said the investigation was still live, and urged anyone with information which could assist police to contact them on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Mr Thornton said: "When the event happened it wasn't very nice at all, but people who do these kind of things are desperate.

"Anger doesn't come into it, but it's the point it happened and justice should have prevailed and having put that sum of money forward you would have thought he would have been fingered and would have received what he deserves - apprehension and conviction. The offer will stand forever until that person is found and justice is given."