DETECTIVES investigating a string of armed robberies have revealed more details about the mystery man they are hunting.

Police believe the middle-aged man has carried out 34 armed raids on building societies across the North West including several in Lancashire.

The robberies stretch over a three-year period - the last two in Colne and Skipton.

The robber, who is short and balding, wears different hats to disguise his appearance.

He usually walks into building societies with a carrier bag under his arm and waits in the queue. When a cashier becomes available he demands cash and claims to have a gun in the bag.

A special team of detectives has been set up by Staffordshire Police to investigate the robberies and the inquiry has been labelled Operation Tornado.

An incident room has been set up and a reward of £20,000 is also being offered for any information which leads to his arrest.

In the latest move, more information has been released about the wanted man's car.

The white Ford Sierra Azura was manufactured between 1992 and 1993 and has a broad black trim right around.

The car has black steel wheels, a white spoiler fixed to the boot and smoked glass rear tail lights.

The thief is white, aged between 45 and 65, is between 5ft 2in and 5ft 5in tall and is balding with dark collar length hair.

Anyone with information should ring the incident room on 01785 234952.

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