AN armed robber made away with a handful of cash after threatening members of staff at knifepoint in a 24-hour McDonald's in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Just after 3am, the man entered the McDonald's Cockleberry branch on Great Western Way brandishing a knife, and managed to get behind the counter before demanding the takings from the till.

The staff on duty were forced to open the till drawer, before the robber grabbed a loose handful of cash and took off.

The amount taken is believed to be in the region of around £100, but has not yet been confirmed.

Staff who were on shift at the time are currently being given counselling after the traumatic incident, and McDonald’s have said they will be offering the affected staff members their full support.

Paul Booth, franchisee of McDonald’s in Swindon, said: “I can confirm that a robbery took place at the McDonald’s Cockleberry restaurant in the early hours of Friday May 9.

“My restaurant team and I are offering our full support to those staff members affected by the shock of the incident and we are co-operating fully with the police in their enquiries.

“In instances such as this, the safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.”

CCTV footage of the incident shows a man police would like to speak to in connection with the robbery, with a distinctive white cap, yellow trousers and blue and white trainers.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: “We are appealing for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery in a McDonald’s restaurant in Swindon.

“The incident took place at the fast food outlet on Great Western Way in the early hours of Friday May 9.

“A male entered the restaurant at around 3.14am and walked behind the counter brandishing a knife before demanding money from the till.

“Once the till was open, the suspect took a handful of notes before leaving the restaurant.

“The male is described as white, in his late twenties to early thirties, wearing a white baseball cap with a gold emblem, a black Superdry jacket, fawn/yellow trousers and blue and white trainers.”

If you know who the man is or witnessed any of the incident, contact Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be left anonymously.