An e-fit has been released of a wanted man who sprayed a pharmacy cashier in the face during a frightening attack.

The man burst into the Borno Pharmacy in Station Road, Herne Bay, and confronted shocked staff with a canister and demanded cash.

The terrified assistant has told police how the robber sprayed the mystery gas into her face while shouting and swearing at her to hand over money from the till.

The man tried to snatch the cash at approximately 6.45pm on Friday, October 2.

The suspect was last seen walking down Station Road in the direction of the train station.

The employee, who did not want to be named, said: “I couldn’t quite believe what was happening.

“He burst in and started spraying some sort of gas at me and demanding money and the till.

“It was very frightening. I couldn’t give him anything because we had already cashed up for the day and there was only change in the till.

“He then jumped over the counter, and I ran out into the back of the shop as he chased us, while other staff threw boxes on the ground to try and stop him.

"It’s just lucky no one was hurt. I don’t know what sort of gas it was but I could still taste it afterwards" - cashier

“He didn’t get any money and then ran off down the road.

“He was quite distinctive-looking and I would certainly recognise him if I saw him again.”

“It’s just lucky no one was hurt. I don’t know what sort of gas it was but I could still taste it afterwards and police took swabs from my face.

“I was advised to call 101 if it caused a problem, but fortunately it didn’t appear to have any after-effects.

The suspect has been described as being white, around 6ft in height and in his late 30s or early 40s.

He had a mousey brown/ginger goatee and bags under his eyes. At the time he was wearing a blue hood over his head and a yellow high visibility jacket.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference ZY/30923/15.

Alternatively call Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Borno Pharmacy spokesman Sam Harding said: “This was a horrible incident. Security is something we take very seriously. We are cooperating with police and we hope the man responsible is caught.”