TWO attempted robberies were thwarted when a shop assistant and a man who was attacked in the street fought back.

The shop assistant stood up to a knife-wielding thug who burst into the general store in David Terrace, near Eldon, Bishop Auckland, with another youth and demanded cash.

The woman was confronted by the two youths, clad in balaclava-type masks, at about 7.50pm on Thursday.

The pair fled on foot when she grabbed some of the shop's stock to throw at them, and refused to hand over any money.

Police believe the incident may be linked to the attempted robbery of a 24-year-old man who was walking along Central Parade, Shildon, near Eldon, 20 minutes earlier. A youth sneaked up behind the man and hit him over the head with a wooden object before demanding money.

As soon as he had been threatened, the man hit the youth in the face. The teenager then fled on foot.

Detective Constable Walter Hirst, of Newton Aycliffe police, said: "We're exploring the possibility that the two incidents are connected as they happened within minutes of each other and were a short distance apart."

The youths who attempted to rob the Eldon store were both described as 5ft 8in tall, and of medium build.

The youth in the street attack was white, about 6ft tall, aged 18, thin, and clean shaven, with acne. He spoke with a local accent and wore a black woollen hat, which was pulled down, a black jacket and dark-coloured trousers.

Police are appealing for witnesses to both incidents. Anyone with information about the Eldon incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Tracey Austin, at Bishop Auckland police, on (01388) 603566 and any Shildon witnesses are asked to contact Detective Constable Dave Storey, at Newton Aycliffe police, on (01325) 314401