A bank robber walked into a busy high street branch and told staff he had a weapon before fleeing with cash.

The hooded man handed a note to bank workers at Barclays in Whitstable demanding money from the till.

Police raced to the building at about 10.20am but the man had fled.

He was described as white, aged about 30 to 40, 5ft 7ins tall and of a slim build.

He had a fair complexion and a freckled face and was wearing a dark navy or black padded jacket with the hood up.

The jacket had small diamond stitching and a gold zip.

Rogan Turner, who witnessed the aftermath, said: "I was just waiting outside the bank when they suddenly locked the doors.

"Then a load of police turned up in four cars and there are a lot of police walking about.

"I heard someone say a man had gone in there and demanded money and might have said he had a gun, but I don't know that for sure."

DCI Adam Ball said: "Whitstable High Street on a Saturday morning would have been very busy and we are hoping someone saw this man, either before, after or at the time of the robbery."

Barclays Bank spokesman Danny Reardon said the branch will remain closed for the rest of the day while police complete investigations.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police on 01843 222289, or Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting reference 25-0391.