A TEENAGE gunman who tried to rob a woman as she waited at a bus stop in Darlington is being hunted by detectives.

The woman, in her early 30s, who had been visiting a friend who lives near St Andrew's Church, left to catch a bus home shortly after 11pm.

She walked down Salters Lane South and then crossed at the junction with Salters Avenue, before standing alone at a bus stop.

As she waited for a bus, a teenager, thought to be aged 14 or 15, approached her, produced what she believed was a black handgun and pointed it at her, then demanded money.

When the woman said she had no cash, the robber mumbled a reply before turning back across Salters Lane South.

The woman was badly shaken, but otherwise unhurt in the incident.

PC David Atkinson, of Darlington police, said the gunman's reply suggested he may have made similar attempts to demand money.

Detectives are anxious to talk to anyone who might have seen anyone fitting the gunman's description in the area before or after the incident, or who may have been confronted by him.

The gunman was described at about 5ft 3in, clean shaven, and of medium build. He spoke with a local accent.

He had short, straight hair, which was mousy or blond, and was wearing a blue, hooded anorak, dark tracksuit bottoms and white trainers.

A spokesman for Durham police said: "Any incident where there are reports of a gun being involved have got to be taken seriously.

"Not least because the sight of a gun is an alarming, if not terrifying experience for any member of the public.

"They have no way of knowing whether it is real, an imitation or a replica. In this instance, at the moment, we don't know what this poor lady was facing"

He said: "If someone produces a gun, whether it be real, replica or imitation, points it at a police officer or member of the public and armed officers are called, there is the very real possibility it could end in tragedy."

Anyone with any information can speak to Darlington police crime desk on (01325) 742155 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.