DETECTIVES are appealing for information from the public following an attempted robbery at a bookmakers in Ellesmere Port.

At around 6.30pm on Thursday, August 22, an unknown man entered William Hill bookmakers on Station Road.

The man walked up to the counter and passed an employee behind it a note claiming that he was armed with a gun and ordering them to empty the safe.

No weapons were seen and the employee refused to hand over any money.

The offender then left the bookmakers in an unknown direction.

He is described between 40 and 55 years old, approximately 6ft 2in tall with a slim build with a gaunt face.

The offender was wearing a long-sleeved green coat, dark bottoms, black sunglasses and a dark-coloured peaked Nike cap.

He also had a blue cast on his right leg.

Detective Constable John Ellis, of Ellesmere Port CID, said: “While the offender fled empty handed, the employee that he demanded money from has been left extremely shaken up.

“I would like to reassure residents that we are committed to doing all we can to identify the man responsible and bring him to justice.

“As part of our investigation into the incident want to hear from anyone who was in the area around the time it occurred and believes they may have witnessed something that may be relevant to our enquiries.

“I also want to hear from motorists with dashcams who were driving on Station Road between 6pm and 7pm on Thursday, August 22.

“If you think that you have any information that could help our investigation, no matter how small, please call the team here at Ellesmere Port CID on 101.”

Anyone with information that may be relevant to the investigation should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 493013, give the details via cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Dashcam footage can be submitted online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage .