A shop owner has spoken of his shock after being confronted by a man who brandished a hand-gun during an armed robbery.

The owner of Hardwick Convenience Store & Off Licence in Bury St Edmunds, 45-year-old Thamalingan Thirunaran, ducked for cover before the man grabbed the cash till at about 10.15pm on Monday.

Mr Thirunaran gave chase and ran out of the shop after the attacker. He dropped the till but stole some of the money before getting away.

Police said he made off with a three-figure sum.

Mr Thirunaran said: “Somebody came in and pulled a gun on me, took the cash register and went out. I am really shocked and upset; I cannot believe it.

“I moved away quickly when he brandished the gun; he then came round and got the till. It all happened very quickly – a couple of minutes.

“I went out after him but by the time I had got round the counter he had gone. I had been clearing up at the time ready to close at 10.30pm.”

The robbery happened in Home Farm Lane in the Hardwick area which is home to several businesses, including The Macebearer pub and Southgate Community Centre.

Patrick Chung, the town’s deputy mayor, said he “never thought” something like this would have happened in the area. He said: “I hope they catch the man responsible. I cannot say where he has come from but I am confident that the police will do their best to catch him.”

Yesterday morning a police cordon was up with forensic officers working at the scene as the investigation continues. The robber has been described as male, white, in the mid 20s and about 6ft.

Anyone with information about the crime should call Bury St Edmunds police on 101.