STAFF at a Salisbury jewellers have been left shocked after a man attacked them with pepper spray yesterday afternoon.

The man entered Sarum Jewellers in New Canal at about 2pm. He asked to see the shop's selection of watches and staff thought he was acting slightly oddly. He then discharged the spray and ran out of the shop in the direction of Reeve the Baker.

Nothing was stolen and no one was seriously injured but the three members of staff working in the shop at the time were still suffering the effects of the fumes several hours later.

Speaking shortly after the incident, manager Sebastian Salt said: “I was on the phone at the time. I heard a small spray noise but didn’t really pay any attention then he left the shop and the next minute we were engulfed by the fumes. Our eyes were sore, chests tightened and my throat still hurts.”

Lord Salt called in the police and fire service and the road was closed as fire engines were used to set up a large fan in the doorway to disperse the spray.

He said: “I’m just shocked, nothing like this has ever happened before. From the way this man was we believe it was an attempted robbery but he didn’t take anything.”

Police are now searching for a man who is described as in his 30s, slightly tanned, about 5ft 8ins and dressed in blue.

Anyone with information can call Wiltshire Police on 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.