A WOMAN shop assistant is recovering from shock after an armed man robbed her at gunpoint this morning.

The 6ft gunman, wearing a workman's jacket and balaclava, burst into McColl's convenience store, Alder Road, Branksome, around 6.15 am, shortly after it opened.

Detectives say he threatened the woman with what appeared to be a handgun before escaping with a large, heavy bag of coins.

No shots were fired but the assistant was left shaken, and police think the robber may have had a getaway car parked nearby.

Det Sgt Jo Williams, of Poole CID, said: "The robber made off from the store on foot in a northerly direction towards the Sainsbury's superstore.

"I'd like to hear urgently from witnesses to the robbery and anyone seeing the offender in Alder Road either walking towards or from the store."

Police also want to speak to any customers who visited the store, as they may hold vital clues to identifying the gunman.

Det Sgt Williams said: "We don't know whether the weapon is real or an imitation and so advise anyone who sees the offender not to approach him but to dial 999 straight away."