A skinny man held up a Warwick post office when he walked in with a gun and demanded money.

But the lone woman in the shop raised the alarm and he fled empty handed into a busy street on Monday afternoon.

The thief went into West Street post office about 3.15pm with a bag and tried to get the woman to hand over money.

Alison Parr, police spokeswoman, said:

“The man ordered her to put some money into a bag. He was holding what was believed to be a dark grey handgun, although he did not threaten the woman with it.

“She raised the alarm and the offender ran off in the direction of Stratford Road. 

"The woman in her 40s was clearly shaken by the incident but was not hurt.”

The thief is described as white, in his 20s, about 5ft 9in, and of very slim build - said to be ‘skinny’. He had a thin unshaven face, spoke with a local accent and wore a blue hooded top, with the hood up.

He fled the scene in to West Street, which was very busy at the time. The road links the town centre with Stratford Road.