A MAN threatened a female member of staff with what appeared to be a handgun and stole cash during a robbery at a shoe shop on Tuesday.

The offender went into Peter Newman shoe shop on Station Road, Birchington, at about 11.45am before pulling out the alleged weapon and threatening the lone employee.

The woman, who was not injured, handed over a small amount of cash from the shop’s cash register, which the man stuffed in his pocket before running from the shop towards The Square.

Armed police officers were called to the scene and helped regular officers to search the area for the man.

He is described as about 30-years-old and 5ft 4in tall. The victim believes he may have been drunk.

Police have released this CCTV image of a man they urgently want to speak to in connection with the raid. He is wearing light coloured trousers, a brown jacket and a red hat.

Anyone who recognises the man or who sold alcohol to the man is asked to contact Acting Det Sgt Lee Goodey at Margate police station on 01843 222192.