A ROBBER armed with a claw hammer grabbed a woman by the neck and shouted "give me the money or I will kill you" in raid on a betting shop.

The man attacked Stanley Racing by the Cricketers Arms pub on Lowerhouse Lane in Widnes at 5.25pm last Wednesday.

He grabbed the woman staff member and despite her struggles he dragged her to the counter and another staff member let him through.

He was given up to £2,000 and headed off towards Milton Road.

The two victims were left unhurt but 'extremely shaken and distressed', according to the police.

The man was aged 26 to 34 and was of medium build. He had a pale complexion, was 5ft 9-10ins tall, and had yellow teeth.

He spoke with a local accent and wore a black hooded jumper with the hood pulled over his head, and dark track-suit bottoms.

The hammer was metallic chrome coloured and had a black handle.

The police are looking into the possibility of CCTV evidence.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Simon Fisher on 01244-613735 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.