A WOMAN has appeared in court after allegedly attempting to hold up a Southampton bank.

The incident happened on Tuesday morning when a woman walked into the Halifax branch in Bitterne precinct and told staff she had a gun and wanted money.

Police say the bank’s security systems triggered an alarm and caused the shutters to come down. The woman then left empty |handed.

Detectives from Bitterne CID launched an investigation which led to the arrest of a woman aged 27 and a man aged 30.

Leanne Chalmers, from Blendworth Lane, Southampton, has now appeared before Southampton Magistrates’ Court charged with attempted robbery. She was remanded in custody until her next court appearance.

The man was yesterday released on police bail pending further inquiries.