A REWARD of £500 is being offered in a bid to catch the robber who held up the Bridport branch of the Halifax. The woman at whom he pointed the pistol was unhurt but shocked by the ordeal and is now on holiday.

Richard Salt, a partner in solicitors Austen, Whetham and Guest in South Street, which is an agent for the Halifax, said: "The young lady was extremely shocked as you can image, having been in fear of her life.

"The loss of money one can cope with but the long-term effect of shock is more difficult to come to terms with. What we, the local community, have to ask ourselves is whether we are going to permit people to get away with this serious type of assault."

He said the indications were that the criminal was a local man and would, therefore, be known to other people.

Appealing for help, Mr Salt said: "The question I put to anyone who may be protecting him is - would you want this kind of life-threatening behaviour to happen to your wife, girlfriend or daughter?

"I imagine not and, therefore, we must ensure that the culprit is arrested and given a long term of imprisonment before he robs again and uses his gun to fatal effect."

When the robber struck at the Halifax at 2.1opm on Thursday, June 20, the alarm system operated but he made off with an undisclosed sum of money before help arrived.

He was wearing a balaclava, khaki V-necked sweatshirt and jeans.

Mr Salt said the firm was offering a reward of £500 for information that led to the arrest and conviction of the robber.

"I am asking anyone who has information to contact myself or Bridport Police in absolute confidence. My telephone number is 01308 422236 and the police station is 01308 422266."