A BARMAID was left shaken and distressed after a robber, disguised in a flesh-coloured mask, threatened her with a metal bar and escaped with a sum of money.

Police have released this CCTV picture of the suspect and are appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which happened at Ferndown Golf Club in Golf Links Road at around 9.10pm on Tuesday night (August 24).

The robber was wearing a flesh-coloured mask of a bald old man and was seen running off towards Golf Links Road after the incident in what police believe was a bid to avoid being captured on the car park's CCTV.

DC Pat Donnelly of Ferndown CID, said: "There was no one else in the bar because it was closing time.

"This is a very unusual incident for Ferndown and the barmaid, a 25-year-old Bournemouth woman, wasn't physically injured but she was very shocked and distressed by what happened.

"It is not clear at the moment whether the robber had a car parked nearby, but if you saw a car in an unusual place - or in suspicious circumstances - please ring the police."

The man is described as being five feet seven inches tall with short light brown hair.

He was wearing a dark jacket over a red shirt, blue jeans, white trainers and black gloves.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call Dorset Police on 01202 222500 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111, where mobile phone tariffs may apply.

First published: August 26