POLICE are hunting for a man after an 'armed' robbery at a chemist.

A robber carrying 'a gun' is said to have threatened an employee at Lloyds Pharmacy in West End.

Police say the shop is located at Townhill Farm District Centre, on Wessex Road.

Officers are continuing to search for the man, who fled the scene.

One witness, Karen Holloway, a senior stylist at nearby Eclipse Hairdressing said: “I turned round and saw the police get out of their car with these big guns.

"It’s quite scary when it’s right on your doorstep."

Armed police were later spotted outside a city home - close to the scene of the robbery.

Officers were seen in Atlantic Park View today - a short distance from the Lloyds Pharmacy.

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary confirmed the police were there as part of their 'ongoing enquiries' into the robbery.

On the robbery, the spokesperson added: "The incident was reported to us at 8.53am this morning.

"Officers are in the area working to locate the man."

Following the robbery, a sign on the front door of the pharmacy said it would be closed until 'further notice'.

However, a spokesperson for Lloyds Pharmacy said it was now open.

The spokesperson said: "We can confirm that there was a robbery this morning (12th September) from our store in Townhill, Southampton.

"A customer as well as two of our colleagues were present at the time and although no one was hurt, they were understandably shaken. 

"The pharmacist alerted the police by pressing a panic alarm. 

"We have shared our CCTV footage with the police and we are providing support to the people who have been impacted.  

"The store has now reopened and we apologise to any customers who weren’t able to use the pharmacy this morning as a result of the incident."