A MAN has appeared in court today charged with a string of armed robberies in Southampton.

David Parcell, 41, of no fixed abode, has been charged in connection with the armed robberies at four stores around the Sholing area.

He appeared at Southampton Magsitrates Court this morning.

He was remanded in custody and ordered to reappear at the city crown court on February 24.

The stores were held-up by a man brandishing a gun between 2.45pm and 9.30pm on Thursday. More than £400 was taken, police said.

Parcell will appear before Southampton magistrates today.

Two women, aged 31 and 23, both from Southampton, who were also being held over the robberies, have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Police arrested the trio following the raids at the Best One shop in Sholing Road, the Co-op in Tickleford Drive, Weston, a pizza shop in Deacon Road, Bitterne, and the McColls newsagent in Montague Avenue, Sholing.