A bookmaker has told how he and his wife feared for their lives when an armed robber stormed into his Malvern betting shop and held him at gunpoint.

Bob Mason, owner of R J Racing in Newtown Road, was preparing for the last horse race at 4.45pm on New Year's Eve when a man wearing a balaclava and dark jacket hurtled through the front door of the shop and stuck a gun in his face.

"He took three paces, threw a hold-all on the counter and said 'fill this up' while pointing the hand pistol at my head," Mr Mason told the Evening News.

"It was terrifying."

The 50-year-old, who has run the betting shop for three years, said it was just himself and his wife Jenny working at the time.

"Jenny was in the back of the office, but the man could see her through the open doorway and told her to come through to the front.

"We really did fear for our lives."

Mr Mason said he had just cashed up the month's takings and had underneath the counter a brown envelope containing £1,200 - a customer's deposit.

"I gave him that and said that's all we had, and he left," he added.

"It all happened so quickly and to be honest it's only just beginning to sink in.

"But the money's irrelevant - it could have been a lot worse.

"It was just an awful way to end 2004."

After leaving R J Racing, the armed robber met another man wearing a balaclava outside.

A spokesperson for West Mercia Constabulary said it is believed both males may have been in the area for a short time before the incident took place.

"We are urging anyone with information to call Worcester police station on 08457 444888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111," she added.