A POLICE manhunt has been launched for a bank-robbing pensioner.

Staff at a High Street branch of Bradford and Bingley at Stockton were held up on Thursday by someone who appeared to be in his sixties and escaped with several hundreds of pounds cash.

A police spokesman said: "He warned staff he had a gun, placed an empty plastic bag on the counter and ordered them to fill it with cash. He then calmly walked out of the bank and disappeared among the high street crowds."

Police are carefully scanning security camera footage for the man who is described as being in his sixties, slim and about 5ft 10in.

He was dressed in a green mackintosh fastened to the neck, flat cap and glasses.

Detective Sergeant Adrian Bradley said: "This was a robbery that could well have been carried out by a man in his sixties or someone in a good disguise. We are interested in speaking to anyone who was near the Bradford and Bingley branch between 4.30pm and 5pm."

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 302226.