An armed robber has threatened staff with a hammer during a raid at a bookmakers in West Lothian.

The hooded thief made off with a three-figure sum of cash after targeting the William Hill branch in Uphall Station Road, Pumpherston, at around 8.25pm on Wednesday.

After demanding a female member of staff to hand over money, he was then seen walking away from the scene with a white carrier bag.

The woman was uninjured but was left badly shaken.

Police are now appealing for witnesses.

Detective chief inspector Paul Batten said: "Thankfully no one was hurt during this incident, but the staff member has been left badly shaken.

"We are currently pursuing a number of lines of inquiry to trace the man responsible.

"Be assured that we will use all resources at our disposal during this investigation, however we do need the public's assistance.

"We ask would anyone who was in the Pumpherston area on the evening of Wednesday, March 27, and saw anything suspicious, to get in touch with police at their earliest convenience."