AN office assistant was left shaken after two men in balaclavas threatened her with an iron bar.

The men made off with more than £2,000 in cash and cheques from the office, in Stockton.

A third man acted as a look- out outside the office and all three ran down an alley at the side of the building towards Lawson's health centre.

The incident happened at about 3.50pm on Friday at the Stockton Flats office, in Hartington Road.

Detective Sergeant Alastair Simpson said: "This was a cowardly attack committed against a vulnerable victim, which has left her extremely shocked and shaken.

"We know there were people in the office just minutes before this incident, paying bills, and we would like them to come forward. They may have seen the three men in the area just before and may hold a vital clue."

The first man is described as 5ft 9ins, of medium build. He was wearing a black padded jacket.

The second man is described as 5ft 9in, of medium build and was wearing a large grey padded jacket. The third man is described as 5ft 5in and was wearing jeans and a white tracksuit-style top.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Stockton police on (01642) 302226.