Organisers of a Christmas lights campaign in Elm have stepped in to support the victim of last night’s armed robbery at the village store.

Wisbech Standard: Elm Londis and Post Office were raided last night.Elm Londis and Post Office were raided last night. (Image: Archant)

On a Facebook posting today ‘Elm Charity Xmas Lights’ say they want to “show our support to our shopkeeper” and will be raising money to help him.

“We will be doing a separate collection for him,” said the post.

“Envelopes are beside our collection to help us know where you would like your donations to go, so any donations to help our kind shopkeeper please place in the envelope and pop in our post-box.

“Let us show him as a community we care.”

The Christmas lights are also raising money for the critical care unit at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn, and the Wisbech and District Stroke Club.

One man wrote on Facebook that he walked into the store five minutes after the robbery.

“I saw loads of change on the floor and heard the shop keeper on the phone to the cops; then about 15 minuets later the cops turned up.”

Another wrote: “Poor man has only just had the shop. He moved here about six weeks ago. It is sad and gives this nice little village a bad name.”

Police are appealing for information following the robbery that happened at around 7.50pm when a masked man brandishing a shotgun entered Elm Village Store and demanded money from the till. He threatened a member of staff before leaving the scene, in Birch Grove, with about £300 in cash.

The man is described as being roughly 5’10” and having a local accent. He was wearing a grey and white mask, dark blue hooded top and was carrying a sports bag.

Detectives are particularly keen to speak to a woman who briefly entered the shop while the incident was happening and may have vital information.

Inspector Will Davis said: “This was a frightening experience for the victim; thankfully nobody was hurt.

“I’d urge anyone who was in the area at the time and may have information to contact us or Crimestoppers as a matter of urgency.”

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact police on 101, call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org/.