Bank robber: I've got cancer so don't be a hero

A GUNMAN is thought to have escaped with £80,000 cash after telling a terrified bank worker: "I've got cancer, I'm already dead, so don't be a hero."

He strolled into the Lloyds TSB branch carrying a holdall and asked to go to a private room to "discuss his banking options".

Once there, he asked for a glass of water. When the worker returned he drew a pistol and issued the chilling threat.

He taped his hostage to a chair and again warned: "Don't be a hero, the money's insured." The woman manager was then called and found her colleague being threatened with a gun to the head.

She was ordered to fill the holdall with cash from a safe before showing the dark-clad, woolly-hatted robber out. He vanished despite a helicopter hunt. No one was injured.