A MELKSHAM shop assistant was robbed of thousands of pounds as she carried store takings to the post office.

The 21-year-old woman from Frome, who works at the Discount House in High Street, was taking the cash down Church Street when a mystery thief stole the cash bag.

Police are investigating the incident, which happened on Monday, December10, at around 10am.

The victim was walking along Church Street and stopped off in the garden next to the Roundhouse to smoke a cigarette when the thief struck.

He was seen running off towards the market place with the cash bag, which contained £3,500.

The offender is described as 6ft 2ins, with a long straggly beard, a grey scarf and light coloured top.

Insp Neil Bagnall of Melksham police said it was an unusual theft in broad daylight.

He said: "There was no violence used and the bag was unmarked.

"The woman said the man just took the bag and ran.

"We would say to managers of shops in the light of what has happened they should review their banking procedures."