POLICE conducted a meticulous search after an alleged gunman threw away his weapon after holding up a chemist.

Officers used metal detectors following a chase along Argyle and Hinson Street after the incident at Rowlands Pharmacy, Market Street, in Birkenhead yesterday.

The man was arrested and was last night being questioned.

Police also hunted around bins and shrubbery at the car park near the street.

The manager of the pharmacy, who did not wish to be named, said his staff were confronted by the robber at around 2.30pm.

He said: “There were no injuries and the people at the counter responded excellently.

“I was not in the shop, but while he was inside the man produced the gun. From what I hear, he was not screaming or shouting but was quite calm.

“We believe that he was after drugs, but I'm not sure which kind.

“The staff were shaken, obviously, but they were very brave.”

The man was arrested at around 2.30pm following a chase along Argyle Street and Hinson Street, ending in the car park there.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed there had been an incident at the chemist shop.

He said: “No one was injured during the incident and no shots were fired.

"The man is currently being questioned by police.”