STAFF caught up in a terrifying daylight robbery at a Hampshire convenience store have been taunted by pranksters since their ordeal.

Police are hunting a masked gunman who stormed the Co-Operative store in Colden Common on Tuesday where children were among the customers.

Officers rushed to the shop in St. Vigor Way after reports of a man holding up a cashier with what was believed to be a gun and demanding money.

Colden Common Parish Council chairman Cllr Richard Izard said: “One of the cashiers said that three people had come in since the robbery pretending to have a gun and making a joke about having a gun.

“That’s what one of the staff told me. It is nothing to laugh about I said; it is not exactly very funny.”

Sue Cook, councillor for Colden Common and Twyford, said: “I am overwhelmed by the whole thing. I have been in contact with the police. It is awful.

“For someone to be so bold and arrogant in the middle of the day is shocking. I fear for the staff.”

Speaking about people taunting Co-op staff, she added: “We do have a group of youths that unfortunately have caused some disruption in the area, but we are always managing it with the police.”

Armed officers were seen in the area along with sniffer dogs and an arson task force van was also parked close to the scene.

A police helicopter circled around Colden Common and nearby villages.

Staff at the store looked visibly upset following the incident, and did not want to talk to the Daily Echo.

Police taped-off an area just outside the store at around 1.30pm on Tuesday afternoon following the robbery and continued to patrol the area late into the evening.

The police have since released CCTV images of the man they are seeking which show him brandishing what looks like a black pistol and wearing a balaclava and hoodie.

It is not known if the firearm is real or imitation.

A police spokesman said: “A man, who was reported to be carrying a small black gun and had his face covered, made threats to a cashier before leaving the store with money from the till.

“The cashier was shaken up but not injured.

“The man is described as white, wearing a black balaclava and a camo jacket with a hood, grey tracksuit or jogging bottoms and black and white trainers.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information should contact police on 101.