A TAKEAWAY worker was threatened with a "machete" in a terrifying raid at his Pokesdown shop.

The armed attacker burst into Pamir Pizza in broad daylight and boasted about his recent release from a long prison sentence.

He told the frightened shop assistant he would kill him before eventually fleeing with a charity collection box.

The incident took place at the Seabourne Road shop at around 4.45pm on Thursday July 30 and prompted a police investigation. An earlier incident in Carysfort Road, in which a man was threatened, is thought to be related.

Ross Parkhurst, who runs nearby Parky's Land of Toys, told the Daily Echo: "I was in my shop when the man in the shop called me over and told me what had happened.

"He said he had a heated argument with a man who pulled a machete on him. The man ripped a charity box off its chain before running off.

"Before he left he told him he had just served seven years in prison."

Mr Parkhurst said he believes the offender was in his late 20s or early 30s but was not of distinctive appearance.

Staff in nearby shops said police were on the scene for about an hour and a half.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "Police were called to attend Carysfort Road at around 11.36am on Thursday, July 20, following reports of an altercation.

"One man, believed to have been in possession of a knife, allegedly threatened another man.

"At around 2pm on the same day, a man is alleged to have returned to Carysfort Road and caused damage to a property.

"Police were then called to Pamir Pizza on Seabourne Road at around 4.30pm on the same day, following reports of an attempted armed robbery.

"A man is reported to have entered the takeaway and threatened a member of staff with a knife. The member of staff refused to hand over cash, but the suspect left with a charity box.

"A 33-year-old Christchurch man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and possession of a bladed article and using threats to cause fear of violence, and has been released on police bail, pending further enquiries."

The suspect is described as a white man who was wearing a blue jumper, blue baseball cap, blue trainers and was carrying a green rucksack.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 30:297, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.