A ROBBER bundled a Gwent supermarket manager into a cupboard, then promised to call police as he made off with thousands of pounds.

In fact, the duty manager of Farmfoods in Frogmore Street, Abergavenny, summoned help himself when he dialled 999 from inside the cupboard. Detective Inspector Roger Fortey said the manager was not injured. "The police turned up with the key-holder and let him out. We didn't receive any other phonecalls," he said.

Police said the raid happened as the manager opened up the shop at about 6.45am yesterday.

He was confronted by a man, who had already got into the shop by unknown means, who forced him to the ground.

The robber held the manager captive while he took cash from the safe - then forced him into the cupboard while he made his getaway. He promised to call the police himself before making off via the store's rear entrance on Princess Street.

The robber took the key to the safe and also a quantity of cash, the amount of which is currently unknown but believed to amount to thousands of pounds.

Police admit they do not yet know how the robber got into the three-storey building, the first two storeys of which are occupied by Farmfoods. The store was closed all day yesterday. The area manager for Farmfoods refused to make any comment or to say when it was likely to reopen.

Police have appealed for anyone who was in Abergavenny early yesterday morning who may have seen the robber to come forward. A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: "We are appealing for any information related to this person who is described as a white male, six foot tall, of stocky build with a local accent.

"He was wearing navy blue overalls with a red shirt underneath and dirty white training shoes. He was carrying a black holdall.

"In particular we are asking for sightings of this man between 6am and 7.15am yesterday morning in the vicinity of Frogmore Street, Abergavenny. "If anyone has any information please call Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111."