POLICE are continuing to investigate an armed raid on a Lancaster Building Society.

A man walked in to the Marsden Building Society, Common Garden Street, pretending to be a customer at 3.25pm on Friday.

After entering through the door, which has a security intercom system, jumped over a counter and threatened the female cashier, claiming he had a weapon. The terrified woman handed over cash.

Police say they will not disclose how much money was taken in the raid, but it is believed to be a four figure sum.

A description of the thief has now been issued by police. He is said to be male, white, around 5ft 11 in tall, of slight to medium build , aged 30 to 40.

He has shorts, straight fair/grey hair , a fair complexion and was clean shaven.

He wore a grey bomber jacket, zipped or buttoned up and with a green or turquoise stripe on the sleeve. Police are continuing their inquiries and will be closely examining the CCTV cameras from inside the building and on Common Garden Street.

DS Andy Chambers of Lancaster Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses to come forward. Obviously we do have line of inquiry to follow, including CCTV."

No other customers were in the building society at the time of the incident.

Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact Lancaster police on 01524 63333.