A BOOKMAKER was forced to lock herself in a toilet after a robber attacked her.

Detectives investigating the incident at William Hill on Blackburn Road in Accrington have now released images of a man they wish to speak to about the robbery, which took place just before 8.45pm on July 16.

It is understood that the suspect waited until he was the only person in the store and then followed the lone employee behind the counter and pushed her before demanding she open the safe.

When he discovered that it was empty, he then demanded money from the till.

The attacker then pushed the victim into the kitchen and she then managed to lock herself in the toilet and call the police.

The man left the bookmakers at 8.52pm with £365 in cash and went along Blackburn Road and up the ramp to Accrington railway station.

The offender, who had a local accent, is white, 5ft 10ins, of slim build and in his late 30s to early 40s.

He was wearing a bright blue woolly hat with a dark blue bobble on the top, a black and white scarf tied over his face and carrying a white carrier bag with a Union Jack on it.

Before the incident he was seen walking along Hyndburn Road, through McDonalds carpark, underneath the viaduct and onto Union Street. He then walked underneath the arch of the town hall before making his way to William Hill.

DC Nicholas Barker, of Blackburn CID, said: “This was a terrifying incident which left the victim very shaken. I would ask anybody who recognises the man in the CCTV to contact police on immediately.”

Anybody with information should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.