A MAN accused of carrying out a string of fancy dress robberies will appear in court early next year.

Martin Reilly, 53, of no fixed address, allegedly targeted the Coral bookmakers in London Road, Westcliff, at 8.30am on Tuesday, September 20.

A staff member claimed she was threatened, by a man who brandished a firearm, and forced to hand over a four-figure sum of cash.

The man, who is said to have carried out other robberies dressed as Elvis or in a series of comedy costumes, then fled the scene.

On October 22 Reilly was arrested by Sussex Police on the south coast and subsequently charged with more than 20 robbery offences, including the Westcliff attack.

He is currently remanded in court custody and set to appear at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, January 6.