A COMPANY is offering a £5,000 reward in return for information about an armed robbery when a worker was shot in the foot.

Graham Oselton, 37, was injured when he arrived for work at Hobson Industrial Estate, near Burnopfield, in Derwentside, County Durham, on Monday.

As he opened the premises he was approached by a man wearing a ski mask and carrying what appears to have been a shotgun.

The man asked for the keys to one of the company vans and when the victim, who is a franchise-holder for the Snap-On tools company, said he did not have the keys, his attacker shot him in the foot.

The gunman was over 6ft, well-built and spoke with a strong Geordie accent.

After obtaining the keys he made off in a white Mercedes van with the words Snap-On Tools on the side.

More than £30,000 worth of professional mechanics' tools such as sockets, screwdrivers and wrenches were inside the vehicle, which was later found burned out on a bridle path between Hedley on the Hill and Prudhoe, in Northumberland.

Mr Oselton was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham. He has undergone two operations and is described as comfortable.

The company is offering a £5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Watson said: "We hope the company's decision to offer a cash reward will encourage people to come forward who, for whatever reason, have not yet done so."

The number to call is 0845 60 60 365.