Police are hunting for a man after an armed robbery at a bookmakers this morning.

The man is reported to have threatened a member of staff with the weapon at Coral bookmakers in Admirals Walk, Lordswood just after 10.35am.

Cash was taken and he left the shop on foot.

The police helicopter was called in to help with the search and officers remain at the scene for several hours. Although the search for the suspect has now finished, investigations are continuing.

He is described as having curly brown hair, aged in his 20s to 30s and around 5ft 8. He was reported has having a cloth covering his face and wearing a tracksuit.

The bookies was targeted in February last year

when staff were forced to hand over a large amount of cash when a masked robber threatened them at knifepoint.

The robber demanded cash from the pair, before fleeing on foot with more than £500.

Anyone with information about today's raid is asked to call 101 quoting reference 09-0364.