A MANHUNT for robbers wielding hammers and knives is continuing after three more Southampton businesses were hit within four hours on Thursday night.

Shop staff have been left in hospital with facial and head injuries during the crime spree, with cash and cigarettes being ransacked from stores across the city.

One staff member was left in hospital after being 'hit over the head with a hammer' as the thieves took just £45 as the number of robberies rises to 11 in the last 11 days, beginning on November 20 at Champagne Charlie's in Portswood Road.

Manager at the store, Kumar Ganesh, said he watched the incident unfold in his office on CCTV.

Two people can be seen storming into the shop before attempting to strike a staff member behind the till with a piece of wood, with another waving a knife before ransacking the shop.

Kumar said: "They were so quick and I was so shocked.

"I was in the office and saw it happen on the cameras. First they came into my shop with a knife and a tree branch.

"I am going to put more staff out now to protect my store. Police need to do more but they can't because they don't have the money."

Talking through the CCTV images, Kumar added: "Here they go wrecking my shop, with alcohol all over the floor."

Police have released CCTV of two men they would like to speak to in connection with their investigations.

A 54-year-old man from Southampton and an 18-year-old man from London have also been arrested just before 3am on Friday morning on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody as the Echo went to print.

It is the second time during the robbery spree that at least three stores have been targeted in the same day.

On November 28, four stores were targeted from the early hours on Portswood Road, to 9pm at night with a Co-Op in Boyatt Wood, Eastleigh.

A member of staff at Bitter Virtue, which was robbed at 4.55pm on Thursday afternoon, said their staff member was hit over the head with a hammer and had to be taken to hospital as the thieves escaped with just £45.

Superintendent Alison Heydari said: "We recognise that robberies of this kind have a direct impact on businesses and their employees and we are working hard to locate these men and keep Southampton businesses safe.

"Detective are continuing to make enquiries to identify these men and Southampton's neighbourhood police officers will be conducting extra patrols in the city.

"Anyone with information is asked to call 101 and quote 44170463734."