TWO brothers who bungled a supermarket robbery have both been jailed for six years.

Christopher and Steven Ball used imitation guns to hold up the Spar supermarket in Roker, Sunderland, last December.

Yesterday, they were each sentenced to six years for attempted robbery, with a further three year concurrent sentence for possession of imitation firearms.

Christopher Ball, 19, and Steven Ball, 21, both of Whickham Street East, Sunderland, carried out their raid on December 15.

They entered the store in Roker Avenue and one jumped over the counter searching for money, while the other pointed his gun at the female assistant's face.

The two fled empty handed after the alarm went off.

Although the woman was not injured, she was left shocked by the incident.

The pair were later caught through a combination of security camera footage and identification from witnesses.

Last night, police praised the sentences.

Detective Inspector Deborah Alderson from Sunderland CID said: "This was a terrifying incident for the woman who was alone in the store at the time. Clearly, she wasn't to know that the guns were not real and was no doubt fearing she could be shot.

"We are pleased the courts have taken these offences so seriously and hope this serves as a warning to other criminals that those who threaten others with weapons face long periods in prison."