A man armed with a gun has escaped with hundreds of pounds worth of cash after a daring robbery this afternoon.

Police were called to the Post Office, in Salvington Road, Worthing, at 1.50pm this afternoon to reports of a man with a 'pistol-type' weapon with which he threatened a female staff member. 

The man is described as around 6ft3ins tall, in his early twenties, wearing jeans, a dark hooded top with a green letter M on the front and back, and carrying a rucksack.

He is also described as ginger, and was wearing thin-framed glasses and a balaclava.

Detective Inspector Andy Westwood said: "We are appealing for anyone who recognises the description of the man or who saw someone acting suspiciously outside the post office or in Franklin Road before the robbery to contact us.

"The post office worker was not hurt but understandably has been left very shaken by what happened.

"Please contact us if you saw or heard anything that could help us with the investigation."

Police are searching for the man and any witnesses can contact police on 101, quoting serial 739/May 9.