A GUN-toting robber was left without any dough after a baker's shop assistant refused to hand over the cash.

The raider turned on his heels and walked out of The Crusty Loaf, in Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, after the woman denied his demands for money.

The grey-haired Trilby-wearing gunman walked into the shop at about 1.15pm on Saturday, carrying a weapon in a dark green plastic bag.

The shop assistant, who has asked not to be named, said: "I heard what I thought was a customer coming in so I went to serve him. He said 'It's nothing against you personally, but I want your money'."

Shocked, the assistant replied: "I haven't got any."

She said: "I thought he was joking, but I looked again and saw he had a gun pointing out of his carrier bag."

The man asked where the cash was, to which the assistant, standing feet from the till, replied: "I don't know."

She said: "Then he huffed, and walked out - just as if he'd been a customer. I was on automatic pilot. I thought it was somebody having a laugh."

The assistant, who has worked in the shop for almost ten years, was back behind the counter yesterday.

Paul Sowerby, The Crusty Loaf's managing director, said: "We've been in the business for 40 years, and this is the first incident we've ever had. We're grateful for the dedication and bravery of our staff."

The gunman is described as in his 40s, 5ft 8in, of slight build, with sharp features, a long face, a sharp nose, with light and dark grey stubble and collar-length grey hair, and wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt with dark buttons and a lightweight beige or dirty white Trilby hat.

After leaving the shop, he turned left onto Cockton Hill Road.

Detective Constable Neil Prentice said: "There were a lot of people around on foot and it's also a busy road and a main bus route.

"We believe the gunman would have been seen before or after he went into the shop and we would like to talk to anyone who saw him as a matter of urgency."

Police are asking anyone with information to call 0845-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.