AN attempted armed robbery at the Nationwide Building Society was halted when the security shutters came down.

A gun-wielding would-be robber entered the society in George Lane, South Woodford at about 4.20pm on Monday, December 10.

He approached the cashier's window, then produced a gun, at which point the shutters were closed, and he ran away empty-handed.

He has been described as white, possibly of Kosovan nationality, 30 years old, slim, with short, black hair.