A pregnant woman was held at knifepoint in a car while her mum was forced to withdraw cash during a robbery in the carpark of the Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury’s superstores in Hedge End.

The mother, who is in her 60s, and her daughter in her 30s, had been shopping at the Marks and Spencer store shortly before the robbery took place.

They returned to their car and were ready to drive off after packing the shopping in the boot when the robber got in the back of the car.

The robber, who wore a distinctive orange knitted hat, was armed with a 2in knife and used the weapon to threaten them while demanding they hand over their mobile phones and money.

They gave him their phones but, after telling him they had no cash, he ordered the mother to drive to a cash point outside the nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket and withdraw £300.

Although reluctant to leave her heavily-pregnant daughter the mother got out of the car and withdrew £300 before ordered to drive off.

They got as far as the entrance to the car park when the robber tried to get out of the car, but as the vehicle’s rear doors had the childlock switch on, the mother had to let the knifeman out.

He then walked off in the direction of Homebase, while the victims drove back to their Eastleigh home where they rang police.

Officers were last night taking detailed statements from the pair who were described as traumatised following the ordeal at 6.20pm on Wednesday.

A spokesman for Hampshire police said: “The two women have been left extremely shaken by this incident and are finding it very hard to talk about it – so much so that we are obtaining statements in a different, more sensitive, way to normal.”

Police were also last night examining footage from CCTV cameras that monitor the store and the car park.

Detective Constable Dan Burton, of Eastleigh CID, said: “This is a very unusual incident to happen at this time of day when the area is very busy with people using the shops at the retail park.

“The offender has been particularly brazen to commit this offence in this area at this time of day.

“Someone must have seen this man, the car or the two women. We would urge them to contact police. They might hold information which is vital to the investigation.”

“The women were not injured in any way and the man did not touch them. However they have, understandably, been left extremely shaken.”

A spokesman for Marks and Spencer said: “The security of our customers is our number one priority and we are extremely disappointed that this has happened near to the store.

“The matter is in the hands of the police and we will assist them in any way we can.”