ARMED robbers attacked a man in his car and then made off with thousands of pounds in Barnard Castle.

The man had parked in the Bank area of the town late on Thursday when two men in ski masks and boiler suits attacked him and threatened him with an 18in cosh.

The two raiders stole several thousand pounds in cash from the man, who was shaken but unhurt.

They then drove off along Newgate Street in a car driven by an accomplice.

The dark blue, four-door Toyota Carina was later found abandoned in Wilson Street.

Police are hunting the attackers and appealing for help from the public.

A spokesman said: "We are keen to find sightings of a dark, blue Toyota Carina parked around Barnard Castle at about 9.25pm, the time of the incident.

"Another vehicle may have been parked nearby to complete the escape. It looks like they swapped cars, but we don't know for certain.

"The cash was contained in four hard, plastic cash boxes. If anybody has found one, maybe discarded in a layby, we would also like to hear from them."

Contact Barnard Castle Police on (01833) 637328.