A ROBBER made a quick change of clothing before holding up staff at a Durham city centre charity shop.

The raider was seen entering the Cancer Research shop in Silver Street on Monday afternoon wearing a light-coloured top.

He left, before returning moments in a burgundy top, with the light-coloured garment around his waist. The man brandished what appeared to be a small hand gun and threatened the two female members of staff, demanding cash. He grabbed a small amount of money from the till and fled, heading up the cobbled street.

A uniformed officer was stopped in the street by a passer-by who told him there had been a robbery and that the culprit had dashed off towards the Market Place. The officer ran after him but found no trace of him.

Both members of staff in the charity shop were said to be badly shaken, but unhurt. Several customers in the shop at the time are believed to have witnessed the incident.

The raider is described as about 30, 5ft 10in, of stocky build, with cropped hair and a mildly tanned roundish face. He was wearing what were described as 'dark bottoms.'

Police say witnesses or anyone who knew the gunman should not approach him but contact them 'as a matter of urgency' on on (0191) 386 4222 or at Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.