A man has been remanded in custody after admitting carrying out a robbery at a jewellers in Malmesbury.

Christopher Pike pleaded guilty to committing the offence when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

The 29-year-old admitted a single charge of robbery at County Jewellers in High Street on the morning of Friday October 5.

Pike, formerly of White Horse Way, Devizes, took money during the incident, which took place at about 9.45am.

Rob Ross, defending, said his client was due to go on a 'drive round' with police to admit offences of burglary and theft he had committed.

Judge Euan Ambrose adjourned the case toDecember 21 to give the defendant time to speak to officers.

He told him the probation service would see him to compile a pre-sentence report and remanded him in custody.

Speaking after the raid, shop owner Julian Middleton told how a man wearing a motorcycle helmet crawled into the store before jumping up and threatening a female member of staff with a knife.

A man from a neighbouring shop came in after hearing a scream and challenged the robber, who it is thought fled on a red sports motorbike.

The man from the other shop, who did not wish to be named, sustained minor injuries to his hand and the female worker was left shaken by the ordeal.

Police arrived at the scene quickly, and the force helicopter was deployed to help with the search.

The jewellery store was opened in October last year by Mr Middleton who wanted to expand after running the business in Royal Wootton Bassett for nine years.