A MASKED gunman forced the elderly owner of a newsagents in a Kent town to hand over her takings.

The robbery took place at around 8am on Saturday at Stephenson's, in Dover Road, Folkestone.

The man, who was wearing a balaclava and had a gun, approached 74-year-old Edna Stephenson from behind and demanded she open the till. He escaped with £80.

Mrs Stephenson said: "He started saying 'give me the money'. I hesitated a bit and he said it again and again.

"I saw he had a gun, whether it was real or not I couldn’t be certain. I was very scared and angry."

The man is described as white, 6ft tall, between 18 and 20 years old and of medium build. He was wearing tight black trousers and a grey waterproof Nike top.

Det Sgt Ian Cutter said: "What kind of person threatens a 74-year-old woman? Fortunately she wasn’t hurt in any way but was shocked by what happened."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on 01303 289180.

* See this Thursday's Kentish Express for the full story.