A BETTING shop manager in only her second day in a new job was robbed of �1,000 by a masked raider who thrust a handgun into her face.

The only customer at the time was grabbed and had a knife held against him. There was a scuffle which left the customer unhurt but shaken.

Police were at the scene of last Wednesday evening’s robbery just minutes after staff pressed the panic button and it is thought they had driven by while the raid was actually taking place.

Amanda Appleby and her assistant manager were about to close the shop when two robbers burst into Ladbrokes in Whitmore Street, Whittlesey, demanding they hand over the money.

The grabbed the cash and shouted at staff demanding more money but were told there wasn’t any.

After a few minutes both robbers left and police believe one was spotted running off along Windmill Street.

Staff described the incident as “terrifying and surreal” and a spokesman for Ladbrokes said that “any incident such as this is inevitably traumatic to our staff and customers, particularly when it occurs in a solid community with a generally low crime rate.

“We do however have the best CCTV in the business and are working with the police to bring the culprits to justice. We would of course encourage anybody with information to come forward and assist where possible.”

Ms Appleby refused to be put off by the raid and on Friday returned to her duties, pledging to “to try and put this behind me”.

She was said to have found it deeply upsetting that such an attack could happen in such a small and friendly community and told colleagues having a gun put to her face was both terrifying for herself and her deputy.

She felt shaken to the core by the fact that someone had pointed a gun at her for the sake of a few hundred pounds.

The raiders have been described as black, wearing all-black clothing and had scarves across their faces. The gunman is described as being around 6ft tall and of stocky build. The other man with the knife was “a bit shorter and skinnier”.

Det Sgt Matt Swash said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may have seen these men entering or leaving the store or anyone who knows who may be responsible.

“This was a terrifying incident for those involved and any information could be vital in bringing the offenders to justice.”

CONTACT: Police on 0345 456 4564 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.