Gardaí in Cork are searching for a man who held up cleaning staff in a post office in the north of the city this afternoon.

The man entered Mayfield Post Office on Kerry Road around 2pm, only to discover that there was no cash on the premises.

Gardaí say he was in possession of a knife and threatened staff.

There were no injuries reported and the man fled the scene empty handed in a blue Ford Fiesta.

The car has been recovered and no arrests have been made.

The man is described as being five feet eight inches tall and was wearing sunglasses, grey tracksuit bottoms and a dark coloured hoodie.

Gardaí in Mayfield are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident or anyone with information to contact them on 021 4558510