A gunman is being hunted after an armed robbery on a travel agents in Folkestone this afternoon.

The raider - dressed in black and with a scarf over his face - threatened three workers and a customer at the Thomspon store with what is believed to have been a black handgun.

He stole cash before fleeing the scene at about 4.30pm, but it is not known how much money was taken.

Armed police were scrambled to the Church Street shop and were seen to search the area.

Kent Police said the robber was white, clean-shaven and wearing large round black glasses, a black hooded top, scarf around his mouth and nose as well as black gloves and trainers.

He ran from the shop, but it is not known in which direction he fled.

A police spokesman said officers are not linking this robbery to other similar raids - but remain open-minded as investigation is in its early stages.

Witnesses or anyone with information is urged to phone police on 101, quoting reference number KP-20130612-1190.