POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two masked raiders tied up a shop assistant at knife point and made off with a substantial amount of money.

At around 5.15pm on Wednesday the pair targeted the 1001 Bargain Centre, in Church Street, Shildon, County Durham.

Armed with knives they forced their way into the rear of the premises which had closed a few minutes before.

The one member of staff left inside was in the process of cashing up when the robbers broke in.

During the course of the incident the raiders threatened the 68-year-old assistant with the knives and locked him in a storage area within the store.

Both offenders then fled from the property with a four-figure sum of cash and are believed to have run off in the direction of Cheapside.

Police are appealing for any witnesses, especially any member of the public who may have seen two men acting suspiciously around Church Street or Cheapside between 5pm and 5.30pm.

Both offenders are described as white, aged in their late teens to mid 20s and they spoke with local accents.

Both were dressed in balaclavas and wore tracksuit type clothing.

Detective Sergeant Warren Hawes said: "This must have been a very frightening experience for the victim.

"He was put in real concern for his safety and we are hoping someone may have seen these men in the area that afternoon."

Anyone with information should call Spennymoor CID on 0345-60-60-365 extension 6762702 or they can ring Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.

Calls to Crimestoppers are not traced and any information can be provided anonymously.