Police have issued a CD-fit of the violent robber who stole £250,000 in a raid on a security van at Gatwick Airport.

The image has been compiled with the help of the van's 41-year-old driver, who was punched in the face.

The attacker, dressed as a security guard, held up the blue Brinks Ltd vehicle in a tunnel under Gatwick's South Terminal as it made foreign currency deliveries at 7.30am on August 22.

He smacked the driver in the face, smashing his nose, and fled on foot.

The robber escaped with three canvas bags containing foreign banknotes in 12 different currencies.

Brinks Ltd has put up a £30,000 reward to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

The offender, who is believed to be in his 30s, is white, about 5ft 10in, tanned, and at the time of the robbery had a goatee beard.

He wore a light blue shirt, dark blue trousers and wore a blue security guard's helmet and fluorescent tabard.

Detectives are keen to hear from the driver of a silver Renault Clio 172 seen in the tunnel on the morning of the robbery. The vehicle displayed the false number plate T367 TYE.

Detective Sergeant Mick Jones said; "I would like to appeal to anyone who has seen this vehicle, or knows anything about it, or its driver to contact the police.

"It may not be connected to the robbery but we are extremely keen to eliminate it from this inquiry.

"We believe the CD-fit of the offender is a good likeness. If anyone thinks they know the identity of this man, or believes they saw him at the airport on the day of the robbery, I would urge them to call."

The Brinks employee injured in the attack, who has not been named, was treated at Crawley Hospital and later discharged.

He was one of a two-man security van team but was alone in the vehicle when it was attacked His 26-year-old colleague, who was making deliveries to a shop when the raider struck, has also been helping police.

Police believe the robber had inside information and may have been an ex-worker at the airport.

Anyone with information on the robbery should contact on 0845 60 70 999, alternatively people can leave information on the Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.