A POST OFFICE worker was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance during a raid on a shop in Alloa yesterday (Thursday) evening.

A man entered the premises on Mill Road around 5.15pm on January 23, and demanded money from two staff members.

When the staff refused, the man sprayed a 44-year-old female employee in the face with an unknown substance before attempting to spray the 25-year-old male staff member.

The suspect then ran off towards Tesco, and is currently still on the run.

One of the members of staff was taken to Forth Valley Hospital for treatment.

Inquiries are ongoing to trace the suspect and anyone who can assist in identifying him is asked to come forward.

The suspect is described as aged between 40 and 50 years old, about 6ft tall, of stocky build with a shaved head and a plaster on his right cheek.

He was carrying an Asda carrier bag and was wearing grey beanie hat, a dark coloured scarf to cover his face, grey zipped top and jeans.

Detective Inspector David MacGregor, of Forth Valley CID, said: "This was a frightening experience for both members of staff.

"Extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify the man responsible.

"Anyone who believes they may have information which could help identify the man or who was in the area at the time of the robbery is urged to contact police as soon as they can."

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 2646 of January 23, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Post Office in Alloa will remain closed until Monday, and a spokesperson for the organisation told the Advertiser: "[We] can confirm there was an attempted robbery at Alloa Post Office.

"The people who run our Post Office branches provide important services to local communities.

"This type of crime is very traumatic for the retailer and we will be supporting the police in their efforts to apprehend those responsible."