The incident began at around 8.45am when the van was parked outside Heron's Frozen Foods on Bath Street.

The guard was approached by a man armed with a blunt instrument who threatened him and made him drive to the junction of Awsworth Road and Shilo Way in the town.

At this point the offender made off with a quantity of cash. The security guard was not injured.

The offender is described as being white, between 5ft 8ins and 6ft 1ins tall and was wearing a ski mask and a blue and light grey tracksuit.

Officers are appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious on Bath Street or at the junction of Awsworth Road and Shilo Way between 8.30am - 9.30am today to contact them on 0845 123 33 33 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 .

The area immediately outside the shop was taped off so forensic officers could search for clues.

None of the staff in neighbouring shops saw the incident take place.