A hooded robber vaulted over the cash desk during a raid at a bookmakers before making off with a three-figure sum.

The robbery happened at a Ladbrokes outlet in Ayr on Wednesday evening and has been described by police as a "very frightening experience for staff".

The man, who was wearing a hood and a scarf, entered the bookies on Tam's Brig in the town at around 7.35pm.

He vaulted the counter and threatened staff before making off in an unknown direction with a three-figure sum of money. No weapons are understood to have been used and no-one was injured during the incident.

The suspect is described as a white man with a local accent, around 5ft 9in tall and aged around 25-35 years old. He was wearing a dark hooded top underneath a grey jacket and was wearing grey jogging bottoms. The man also had on a black and white chequered scarf.

Detective constable Grant Currie, from Ayr CID, said: "Thankfully no one was injured during the robbery, however, it was a very frightening experience for the staff and customers at the shop.

"Our enquiries are still at quite an early stage. We are analysing available CCTV and conducting interviews.

"I would appeal to anyone who was in the area of the bookmakers at the time of incident to contact police with any relevant information.

"You may have heard a disturbance, or seen someone running away from Tams Brig around the time of the incident.

"You may think the information you hold is insignificant, but as part of our larger inquiry, your information could make all the difference.

"I would ask that anyone who has information about the man responsible or can help with our enquiries, please contact police at Ayr via the non-emergency number 101.

"You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where confidentiality can be maintained."