A MEMBER of staff was allegedly confronted by a knife-wielding man in a Greenock east end post office.

Police swooped on Sinclair Street early yesterday morning after reports of the frightening incident in the McColl's newsagents and post office.

Officers say the suspect approached the counter with his hood up before brandishing a knife and then fleeing the pemises empty handed.

A major search was launched to find the armed thug.

The incident took place at around 7.10am in the Sinclair Street premises.

Police rushed straight to the scene and sealed the newsagents off as they launched their investigation.

A police presence was in place at the scene for a number of hours.

A man has now been arrested in connection with the alleged offence.