This is the moment a man hiding behind a bushy fake beard tried to rob a bookmakers at gunpoint.

The thief, who looked like he had just left a fancy dress shop, hardly blended in when he walked into the William Hill betting shop in George Street, Hove, just before 8.30am Thursday and pointed a gun at a member of staff.

But he had turned up too early to clear out the shop and left clutching only a set of keys to the shop after staff told him they had no money for him to take.

The threatened worker, who asked not to be named, said: “I had just opened up and he walked in and said ‘Give me the money’.

“I said there was no money and that it was all locked up. He didn’t go mad or anything, he seemed to just accept this, which was strange, and left.

“He was wearing a disguise and it was very obviously a fake beard. It was a bit of a blur.

“He pointed a gun at my abdomen. I only got a brief glance at it. He left with some shop keys but all the locks have been changed now anyway.”

The shop opened for business as usual later that day.

Police are now looking for the man, who was also wearing thick rimmed glasses and a red beanie hat.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “The man headed up George Street and was last seen jogging towards Blatchington Road. He is described as wearing dark clothes, possibly a tracksuit.”

Nobody was injured in the incident.

Witnesses are asked to call 0845 6070999, quoting serial 324 of 07/07.