A SHOP worker was hit over the head with what is thought to be a hand gun in Swindon last night.

Police are appealing for information after a man went into convenience store Aroma Foods & Drinks in Milton Road, off Faringdon Road, at about 9.20pm and hit a male member of staff on the head with the gun.

He then took a small amount of cash from the store and fled.

The suspect was wearing a black helmet and left on a motorbike.

It is believed he had an accomplice keeping a lookout as there was thought to be a second person on the motorbike.

The employee was treated at the scene and did not need hospital treatment.

Police say they are keeping an open mind over whether yesterday's robbery is linked to the raid at the Texaco garage in Marlborough Road on August 14, when a cashier was hit over the head with a metal pole. The robber is thought to have made off with about £260 in the incident.

“Fortunately, the shopkeeper was not seriously injured during this incident,” said Detective Sergeant Phillipa Sharpley, of Swindon’s Criminal Investigation Department.

"However, he was left understandably very shaken and sustained a minor wound to his head.

“We would like to reassure members of the community that we are carrying out a thorough investigation into this incident.

"Although we are still at the early stages of the investigation, we are keeping an open mind as to whether this incident is linked to a similar incident which occurred at the Texaco garage in Marlborough Road on August 14. Enquiries are still ongoing into this incident.

“We’d like to appeal to anyone who was in the Milton Road area of Swindon last night around 9pm and 10pm, who may have seen a motorbike near to the store.

"Any information you have, no matter how small, may be crucial to our investigation.”

Anyone with information, should call police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Today the shop was closed, with the front being covered by metal shutters.

A window cleaner from neighbouring flats said he had not heard anything but had seen a crime investigation unit outside the shop all morning.