Detectives investigating an abduction and robbery at a bank have released an image of a holdall they believe was involved.

A man was picked up by a taxi in The Avenue, Lochgelly, Fife, at around 12.40pm last Wednesday and he made the driver take him to the Bank of Scotland in Mitchelston Industrial Estate, Kirkcaldy.

He then forced the driver to enter the bank and present a note to the staff demanding money. A cashier handed over a four-figure sum, but it was later recovered by police at the scene.

The would-be thief fled as emergency services were called, and the taxi driver was taken away by police officers while the area was searched.

Detectives have been analysing local CCTV footage and carrying out door-to-door inquiries. They have also issued an image of a van seen near the bank.

Detective Inspector Charlie Duncan said: "I have released a photograph of a holdall used during the robbery, which I know the male responsible was carrying before he entered the taxi, which drove him from Lochgelly to Kirkcaldy. It is an old Jako, J1 sports holdall, which is no longer on sale. I would urge anyone who has seen one similar belonging to a person they may have concerns around to come forward.

"We are also interested in tracing the owner of a black Volkswagen Caddy van seen entering Mitchelston Industrial Estate directly behind the taxi used in the robbery. The vehicle is seen to park in the service area near to Martin Plant Hire on Carberry Place, Kirkcaldy about 1.10pm and leave again about half-an-hour later.

"The van is a 2004-2010 model with a distinctive tailgate opposed to the more conventional double rear doors. I need to eliminate this vehicle from our inquiries. On leaving the estate the driver turned left onto Earn Road, Kirkcaldy and may have been working in the area.

"In addition, I want to speak with a member of the public who walked past the snack van, parked directly outside the BMW garage on Carberry Road, Kirkcaldy at around 1:20pm and walked past the taxi, which was parked further up Carberry Road.

"I believe the person responsible was still seated within the taxi, when this male passed or may even been exiting as he was approached. It is vitally important we trace this person, as there is no CCTV covering this area. The male is about 20-25 years of age, he was wearing a very distinctive two tone blue and white jacket or tracksuit top, with a white panel around the waist. He was also wearing blue jeans and trainers."

The suspect was described as white, 5ft 6ins with a heavy build and he spoke with an Eastern European accent. He was wearing a dark green baseball cap, a dark green scarf, a thick dark blue jacket, tracksuit bottoms and sunglasses.