MASKED thugs threatened two female shop assistants with a hammer during a store raid on Teesside.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Two female members of staff were threatened with a hammer and while one of the men smashed at the cash box, the other removed cigarettes.

"The men then fled the store along with a third man who had been waiting outside.''

The gang escaped with 500 packets of cigarettes and about £200 in cash from the Londis convenience store, in Burns Road, Teesville, near Middlesbrough.

The workers described the robbers as being aged about 19 to 20 years old.

The look-out was about 6ft 4ins, with blond, curtain- style hair and blue eyes.

The pair who entered the shop wore black clothing and balaclavas.

The police spokeswoman said the women were not hurt but had been left extremely upset and shaken by their ordeal.

The robbers made off along Sycamore Crescent.

Anyone with information about the raid should telephone South Bank CID on (01642) 302020 and ask for Detective Sergeant Dave Turnbull or Detective Constable Simon Hurwood, or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111