TWO barmaids were held up at knifepoint by a balaclava-clad man at an East End pub.

The terrified staff were working at the Westburn Bar in Carntyne on Sunday.

Just before 5pm the man went behind the bar - despite there being other drinkers in the Carntynehall Road pub. He brandished the knife at the women and demanded that they open the safe.

When they refused he left the bar and ran off down Carntynehall Road towards Shettleston.

Both women were uninjured but extremely shocked, police say.

Detectives called the crime "horrible" and say the incident could easily have become much worse.

Detective Constable Andy Hunter, of London Road CID, said: "This is a particularly scary crime which placed both female members of staff in a state of fear and alarm.

"It is clearly the act of a desperate individual who, despite the presence of other patrons within the bar, still carried out a horrible crime which could quite easily have had more serious repercussions. The police are keen to identify and arrest this male before he has the opportunity to carry out any similar acts." The suspect is described as being white, aged around 30, with a stocky build and local accent.

He was wearing a green padded jacket, black cargo trousers and black trainers. At the time of the incident he was wearing black gloves as well as the balaclava.

CCTV from the bar is being checked by police to see if they can identify the culprit. If you can help, call London Road CID on 0141 532 4716 or Crimestoppers free on 0800 555111.