A CALLOUS gunman threatened a 65-year-old man in the toilets at Liverpool's flagship hospital.

He stormed into the main washrooms by the Royal Liverpool Hospital's reception area and demanded cash.

The stunned victim was then confronted with a silver handgun.

When the victim, who is not thought to have been a patient at the hospital, refused to hand over any money, the thug assaulted him.

The pensioner received minor head injuries in the scuffle but police say he has been left "very shaken" by the ordeal.

It is thought the gunman then darted through to the back of the hospital and fled onto Pembroke Place.

Staff at the Royal raised the alarm at around 6.20pm.

It is thought the offender was prowling around the hospital from 6pm.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective chief inspector Neil Cowdrey, of Merseyside Police, said: "Attacks such as this are completely unacceptable and I would urge anyone with information about this incident to come forward to help us bring the offender to justice.

"I would also like to reassure the public that occurrences like this are rare and this was an isolated incident."

The gunman is described as being white, aged in his late 20s to early 30s, 6ft tall and with short light brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans and a black leather bomber jacket.

Officers are currently speaking to staff, patients and visitors who were in the hospital reception at the time and scouring CCTV footage.

Anyone with information should call 0151 777 4811 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.