A PUB landlady was left badly shaken after a robber forced her to hand over money from the till.

The woman, who has not been named, was getting ready to open the Sportsman's Arms, in Front Street, Leadgate, County Durham, when the robber struck, at 6.30pm on Thursday.

Detective Constable Paul Burn, of Consett CID, said last night: "When the landlady answered a loud and persistent knock at the door, she found a man in his late thirties to early forties.

"He pushed her back inside and demanded money and the victim was forced to hand over a sum of cash from the till reserved for the evening's float."

DC Burn said: "The Sportsman's Arms is in a fairly busy location near the main traffic lights at the bottom of Leadgate.

"There may have been a number of people in the area at that time on Thursday and we are asking anyone who thinks they might have seen this man to get in touch with us.

"We are treating this very seriously, as the victim has been left badly shaken."

The man was described as being of average height and build and looking "very fit".

He had cropped light or greying hair and long side burns and was slightly cross-eyed in his left eye. He wore a dark-coloured zipped jacket and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call (01207) 504204 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.