TWO supermarket workers were left severely traumatised after being manhandled by armed robbers in a quiet village store.

The masked gunmen struck at the Co-operative store in The Leazes, Burnopfield, County Durham, at 7.30pm on Thursday.

Police said the robbery, the fourth in the Derwentside area in recent weeks, was the most worrying.

Detective Inspector Simon Orton, of Consett CID, said the two men, brandishing what appeared to be handguns, forced the two women staff members to the rear of the premises.

There, they manhandled and assaulted them and forced them to open the safe, before fleeing with a substantial amount of cash.

Det Insp Orton said: "This is the fourth unrelated robbery in the Derwentside area in recent weeks - and it is the most worrying.

"The two women were still extremely traumatised and very distressed the following day by what happened.

"It was a violent attack where handguns were used. The women were physically assaulted and manhandled.

"This shop is in a quiet area which serves a lot of customers who are personally known to the staff and it is not used by passing trade."

Det Insp Orton, who is heading the investigation, said detectives were already making encouraging progress.

The first suspect was described as 6ft tall and well-built. He wore a mustard-coloured jacket, possibly a sheepskin.

The second man was 5ft 6in, of medium build, and wore a beige jacket.

Detectives would like to trace a green saloon car - either a Vauxhall or Peugeot - seen in the area.

Meanwhile, two men have been charged with robbery at Callers Pegasus in Middle Street, Consett, on January 22.

Five people have been questioned and released on police bail in connection with a robbery at the post office in Front Street, Langley Park, near Durham City, on February 19.

And police are still investigating a robbery three weeks ago at Brenda's Fish Bar, in Stanley.

Anyone with information has been ,asked to contact police on (01207) 232144 or 504204 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.