POLICE believe two robberies in County Durham where a masked raider threatened shop assistants with a crowbar could be linked.

In both incidents, in Shildon and Fishburn, a man wearing a balaclava burst into the stores and demanded money from cashiers.

The first robbery occurred at the Co-op in Butterwick Road, Fishburn, on Friday, shortly before 8.45pm. The attacker ran into the store and threatened the female cashier with the crow bar, banging it on the cash register, and fleeing with the money.

An accomplice was waiting outside the store and police said the pair sped off in an old, dark-coloured car.

The second robbery took place at Alldays, in Redworth Road, Shildon, at 8.55pm on Sunday. The man also threatened the woman before hitting the crowbar on the counter and fleeing with money from the till.

Detective Constable Walter Hirst, of Newton Aycliffe police, said: "Both girls were left very shocked. The man who burst in acted in a very threatening manner towards them and they were both very frightened for their own safety.

"We believe the two incidents could be connected."

The Fishburn robber was described as 5ft 11inl and in his late twenties. The Shildon robber was about 5ft 6in, of slim build, in his mid-twenties and had a local accent. They were both white and wore dark clothing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Newton Aycliffe police on (01325) 314401.