Police are hunting a masked knifeman who robbed a teenager of £1,000 in bingo winnings.

The incident happened as the 18-year-old student, from the outskirts of Durham City, was walking home following a trip to the Imperia Bingo Hall, in Felling, Gateshead, on Monday night.

He and his teenage friend had gone with a party of mainly pensioners on a coach trip from Sherburn Road to the venue, and he had won a total of £1,000 in prize money.

The coach had brought them back, and the two friends were walking near Ramsey Close, at about 9.30pm, when a man wearing a black balaclava and brandishing a kitchen knife with a six to eight inch blade stepped out of the shadows.

He threatened the pair, demanded the cash, and fled with it towards Sherburn Hill, leaving them shaken but unhurt.

Detective Constable Ray Etchells, of Durham City CID, said it was possible that the robbery was a chance incident, but that he could not rule out the possibility that the culprit had received information about the win.

He is described as in his 20s, 5ft 11ins tall, of slim build, and wearing a dark blue track suit top and dark blue bottoms.

Witnesses are asked to ring the police on 0191-386 4222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.