A HUNT is on for three armed men who put a security guard in hospital and pulled a gun on another man.

The masked men also petrol- bombed two Ferrari sports cars thought to be owned by a director of Appleyards Plastics and the focus of their attack.

Today, a search will continue for the trio, who are armed with a suspected shotgun and baseball bats, and will involve up to 20 officers from Cleveland Police.

Acting Detective Inspector Ted Allen said: "We have a report of three men in balaclavas and armed with some weapons, a baseball bat and possibly a firearm.

"They have threatened staff - a security man had to go to hospital - and damaged these two cars.

"We are treating this very seriously, and we have quite a lot of resources. We are keeping an open mind, but are certainly looking for a motive.''

The raiders drove up to Appleyards Plastics, on the Queensway industrial estate, in east Middlesbrough, and hurled a thunder flash at the guard when he confronted them. He was taken to hospital with a suspected broken arm.

The men then damaged and set fire to the two Ferraris, a Cleveland Police spokeswoman said.

Another employee was threatened with a baseball bat and what he believed was a gun, she said.

The car used by the men to drive up to the front of the building, which produces plastic components for cars, was later found abandoned nearby.

Station Officer Keith Tennant, who led crews from the Grangetown fire station to the scene, said the stench of petrol was unmistakeable and added that the fire had been quite fierce.

Both burnt-out cars were taken to a garage for forensic examination, as part of the investigation.

Police are appealing for anyone with information about the raid or the raiders to contact Detective Sergeant Gary Fernandes, on (01642) 303126.