POLICE are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a betting shop in Colchester.

A masked man brandishing a silver-barrelled handgun threatened staff and took a three-figure sum of cash from the Ladbrokes branch in Bourne Road shortly before 8pm yesterday.

The robber was aged in his 20s, 5ft 7-10in tall, of slim build and with a dark complexion.

He was wearing a white or light grey hooded top, dark jogging bottoms and white trainers. During the robbery he covered his face with a red and black scarf.

Detectives want to hear from any witnesses who saw the man enter or leave the betting shop.

They also want to hear from anyone who was in the area of Bourne Road, Military Road and Wimpole Road between 7.30pm and 8.30pm, who may have seen the man hanging around before the incident or running away.

Anyone with information should call officers at Colchester CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Officers are investigating whether the incident is linked to other recent armed robberies on betting shops in the north of the county.