AN armed robber threatened bank staff and made off with cash in an afternoon raid.

The man entered the Co-operative Bank in Knowsley Street on Thursday at around 4.50pm.

The robber approached a woman cashier and demanded money while threatening that he had a gun.

John Langstreth, who works in Rhode Island opposite the Co-op bank said: "I heard that he handed a letter to the cashier and on it is said something like he needed a certain amount of money, in a certain amount of notes and if he didn't get it he would kill her, everyone in there and himself because he had nothing to lose.

"It is scary because I open up on my own here sometimes and that happened right across the street."

It is unknown how much money the robber made off with but he is understood to have fled the bank on foot.

Rustu Ozel of Ozel Barbers which is next door to the bank said: "I saw the police cars outside but I didn't see anyone running in or out.

"I think it is about the fourth or fifth time it has happened now."

Meanwhile a spokesman for Scrivens Opticians said the incident had "scared" them.

The spokesman added: "It is shocking and it is very worrying that it happened so close to here."

The robber has been described by police as a white man in his 30s with dark hair and a beard.

He was wearing a black woollen hat, dark coat and carrying a green bag.

A spokesman for the Co-operative Bank said: "An incident at the Bolton branch of The Co-operative Bank is being investigated by police, we are unable to comment further at this time as the police enquiry is on going."

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to come forward following the incident.

To contact police call 101 and quote incident number 159 of August 25, 2016.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.