robbery yesterday said security will be tightened.

And she added the two staff members terrorised by the raider were back behind the counter at KFC's Queen Street restaurant only a day after their ordeal.

Ms. Myra Fitzimmons, head of Hamilton's KFC operation, said: "They are both well and not suffering any after effects.

"Everyone's feeling a little bit jumpy, but otherwise everything's fine.'' "We're just trying to get back on our feet again as quickly as possible.'' She added: "It's the first robbery here since KFC opened 26 years ago. But we are reviewing our security and changes will be made.'' Ms. Fitzsimmons was making the firm's first public statement since a gunman struck at the restaurant around 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.

The raider entered the restaurant by a rear door from the car park bordering Par-La-Ville Road.

Two terrified male staff -- including duty manager Quincey Simmons -- were threatened by the gunman until Mr. Simmons opened the safe upstairs and handed over the weekend's takings to the man.

The restaurant opened at 2 p.m. -- three hours late -- after detectives interviewed the raid victims and searched the building for clues.

Yesterday, Mr. Simmons refused to comment on his ordeal.

The man leading the hunt for the raider, Detective Inspector Sinclair White, said his team was following up several lines of inquiry.

And he appealed for anyone who was in the area of the restaurant, Church Street, Reid Street and the Par-La-Ville car park between 8.30 a.m. and 9.45 a.m. on Sunday to come forward as they may have vital information.

He said: "We are working on a number of lines of inquiry and have had some assistance from members of the public, but we would greatly appreciate more help.''