Police are today scouring Wilsden for a gunman who threatened staff at the village pharmacy.

Officers were called to Wilsden Pharmacy in Main Street at about 10.50am to reports of an attempted armed robbery.

A man entered the shop with what is believed to be a handgun and an empty plastic bag before threatening members of staff and demanding money.

He left empty handed after staff hid behind the counter. The man fled on foot, and was believed to have headed towards Lingfield Road.

A police helicopter was called out for an aerial search, while several officers patrolled the streets for several hours looking for the gunman.

A spokesman said they were “following positive lines of enquiry.”

None of the staff were harmed in the incident, and after forensics officers collected evidence the shop closed for the day.

The man is described as being white, in his early 20s and wearing a black woollen hat, a tracksuit and sweatshirt.

Andy Longley, who runs Village Fisheries a few shops away from the pharmacy, and the Villager pub, said: “At first it was just one police car and the helicopter, but it wasn’t long before several other units turned up.

“I checked the pub’s CCTV but I’m not sure it caught anything.

“It’s odd – nothing ever normally happens in Wilsden. People don’t seem too worried, they just want him caught.”

Wilsden Parish Councillor Tony Caunt said he was shocked to hear about such a crime happening in the village.

He said: “It is very rare for something like this to happen in Wilsden, especially with a gun. It is normally a very quiet and peaceful village with a very low amount of crime. This seems completely out-of-context. It is disgusting.

“I find it unusual he decided to stick up a chemist, I wouldn’t expect them to have a great deal of money there.

“I’m very pleased none of the staff have been hurt, although they must be very traumatised.”

Wilsden Primary School sent a message to parents to let them know each child must be collected by an adult at the end of the school day as a precaution.

Anyone with information about the crime can contact the police non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.