POLICE investigating a robbery in which more than £7,000 was taken from a pensioner have arrested two men in connection with the theft.

A 67-year-old man was driving to a bank with takings from Tindale Crescent Working Men's Club, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, on Monday afternoon when he was attacked by a robber.

Alan Bramhald was driving along Watling Road when a dark green Rover 216 car pulled out of the junction to Proudfoot Drive and blocked his way.

A masked man, wielding a baseball bat, jumped out of the car and smashed a back window, grabbing the money from behind the driver's seat and hit Mr Bramhald's arm.

The Rover, believed to have been driven by a second man, was later found behind Dale Street, where the culprits are thought to have had another car waiting.

On Monday night, police inquiries led to the recovery of a silver Nissan Navira 4x4 car on a back road in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, County Durham.

Two men, aged 19 and 23, from the Bishop Auckland area, were arrested on suspicion of robbery and were last night still in custody.

Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses or information about the robbery or green Rover, registration J459 LTL.

Anyone who can help is asked to call Bishop Auckland CID on (01388) 603566.