A CASHIER at the Abbey National bank was menaced by a man with a handgun this week.

The robber pushed a demand for money over the counter and then produced a firearm.

The man walked into the bank on Bridge Street, St Helens, at 10.55am on Tuesday, December 5, and escaped with a quantity of cash.

Officers investigating the robbery are not ruling out a connection with a similar raid at the Lloyds TSB on Hardshaw Street just after 3pm on Wednesday, November 22.

DC Paul Ford explained: "We are keeping an open mind about whether these two robberies are linked. There are similarities between the incidents and at this stage we cannot rule out a possible link."

The man who stole the cash from the Abbey National was wearing a white/cream jacket (possibly with a hooded jacket underneath), dark trousers and white trainers.

Anyone who may be able to help the police with their inquiries can contact DC Paul Ford at St Helens CID on 0151 777 6063, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.