BLACKPOOL Police are hunting for an armed man who bound and gagged a woman in a South Shore flat, before stealing her car.

A police spokesman said the man, thought to be in his 30s and carrying a gun, broke into the flat on Thursday (August 30) at Crescent Court, South Shore at around 9.40am.

He bound and gagged a 49-year-old woman before stealing property from the flat and making off in the woman's blue Peugeot 205, registration G550 YTR.

Still bound, the woman managed to phone the police. Emergency services rushed to the scene and forced their way into the flat to release her.

The police spokesman said: "She was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for a check up. Although shocked, she was otherwise unhurt with relatively minor injuries."

He said the woman did not wish to be named.

The robber was described as white, mid to late 30s, six feet tall and of stocky build, with a Birmingham accent.

He has short, dark hair, a chubby face and sun-tanned complexion. He has brown, distinctive eyes and was clean shaven.

He has a tattoo on one upper arm and was wearing a shiny, blue track suit and black shoes.

Police are urging anyone with information, or who saw anything suspicious in the Crescent Court area to get in touch.

And they advised anyone who has seen the car not to approach it, but contact Blackpool Police on 293933, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.