A cashier has been threatened with a meat cleaver during an armed robbery at a bookmakers in West Lothian.

More than £100 and a Scottish Poppy Appeal tin were stolen in the "frightening" raid around 7.20pm on Friday, November 2.

The female workers was targeted by a man who had previously been playing a gaming machine at the premises on Hopetoun Street, Bathgate.

The man, who had bloodshot eyes and was smelling of cannabis, approached the counter before producing the meat cleaver and demanding she hand over the money in a plastic bag.

Police are now investigating the incident and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

The suspect is described as a white man in his late 20s to early 30s.

He is around 5ft 10in to 6ft with a slim build, blue/green eyes that appeared bloodshot and brown greasy hair that was short at the sides and longer on top.

He was wearing a grey wind breaker style jacket, a black scarf, black jogging bottoms and black trainers with white soles.

Detective Inspector Paul Batten of Livingston CID said: "This was a frightening attack which has left a female member of staff badly upset.

"We are eager to trace the man responsible as soon as possible.

"I would ask anyone who was in the Hopetoun Street area on the morning on Friday, November 2 and saw anything suspicious, to get in touch with us immediately."