POLICE believe a man who held up a bank at gunpoint today is becoming "dangerously confident" after striking twice in a week.

The latest incident happened at the Marden branch of NatWest - a week to the day that an armed raid took place at the bank's Coxheath branch.

During today's robbery, which happened at about 10.30am, two cashiers had what looked like a handgun waved in their faces. They handed over a bag full of cash and the lone man made his getaway in a white Citroen car.

Officers are certain that the cash, robber's skin and his car will be covered in a dye put in cash bags as a security measure. The bag itself was found metres from the door of the bank and was saturated in the liquid.

Three customers queuing at the time were said to be shocked but gave instant statements to the police. Witnesses reported seeing the car drive from the branch in Marden High Street towards Pattenden Lane.

Police spokeswoman Gianna Pollero said that it was almost certain the raid was linked to the Coxheath robbery carried out at a similar time last Monday.

Then, a lone man brandishing what police now know was a BB gun, made off with more than £1,000. He was driving a silver coloured Citroen BX car and police believe he would also have been covered in dye.

Miss Pollero added: "He's becoming dangerously confident. He's done it again, in broad daylight and almost exactly what he did before. He's a dangerous man and is set on what he's doing. He is planning these raids but is taking too many risks. He's very distinctive and someone is going to recognise him."

Police also think it likely the man lives in the area as he is targeting village banks. He is white, in his 30s or 40s, with dark, greying hair, 6ft 2in tall and stocky.

During today's robbery, he was wearing a green coloured cap, a khaki or beige coloured zip-up top and sunglasses. Anyone with information should contact Det Supt Andy Chapman on 01622 608182.