DETECTIVES are hunting a would-be robber who fled a North-East bank empty-handed.

He sprayed a businessman in the face with a substance similar to CS gas, but fled in a getaway car after the victim refused to hand over a bag containing cash.

The businessman was walking into the Yorkshire Bank at the Interchange Centre, in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, at about 11.10am on Monday, when the man struck.

The quick-thinking businessman threw his bag into the bank, then pushed his attacker out of the building.

The attacker ran off towards a getaway car - a red Ford Mondeo, registration number K289 SVE - which was parked between the bank and the nearby post office.

It was driven by another person and the pair made off empty-handed.

The attacker was described as being in his late twenties, 5ft 11in, with a slim build. He wore a black or blue mohair scarf, pulled over his face, and a black woolly hat. He was also wearing dark blue jeans and tan shoes.

His victim, because he was wearing glasses, escaped the ordeal uninjured.

The car used in the raid had been stolen some time between 9.15am and 11am the same day from the Asda car park at the Gateshead MetroCentre.

Police are appealing for anyone who might have seen the car being stolen, witnessed the attempted robbery or who saw the getaway, to contact police on 0191-454 755, extension 64146.