Detectives have named a man they believe uses fancy dress disguises to rob bookmakers at gunpoint.

A £10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of 53-year-old Martin Joseph Reilly.

He is believed to have taken over £20,000 in 11 raids on bookmakers in Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Essex and London.

Detectives think Reilly is using trains and buses to reach shops just as they open up in the morning, using a gun or knife to demand money.

They believe he is using fancy dress to hide scars on his face including a horseshoe-like scar on his left cheek.

Reilly is wanted over raids in Hove, Brighton and Eastbourne in July, wearing an Elvis-style wig and sunglasses in one attack.

Police believe they were part of a robbery spree which started in Kettering on Monday, June 13.

They believe Reilly has struck in Bedford, Working, Portsmouth and Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex, with the most recent raid in Baker Street, London, on Monday.

Reilly is described as white, 6ft 1in, medium build, with blue eyes, a shaven head and scars on each cheek.

Police say he has at various times lived in both Corby and Kettering in Northamptonshire and has connections to London.

He is previously thought to have lived in the Croydon area and is known to frequent Kilburn.

He is also said to use different names such as Martin McAuley, Martin Anderson and Martin O'Reilly.

Detective Inspector Ian Still, of Brighton and Hove CID, said officers are expanding the search for Reilly.

He said: "We believe Reilly is using the rail network or other public transport to reach stores just as they are opening up.

“Fortunately to date, Reilly has not harmed staff or members of the public during any of the robberies but we would still advise people to not approach him but to contact police immediately should they see him.

“The investigation into Reilly has been going on for some time and we have been working alongside our colleagues in the other forces, sharing important information, intelligence and leads in the hope of finding him.”

Neil Harris, Divisional Security and Safety Manager for Ladbrokes Betting and Gaming said: "We have been working closely with Sussex Police and other police forces in an attempt to find Martin Reilly.

“We are hoping that by providing Sussex Police with various CCTV images from our stores, and putting up a reward, that someone will recognise Reilly before he strikes again.

“This has been a very frightening experience for our staff but fortunately no one has been injured."

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070999, quoting Operation Shelley, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.