Two men brandishing imitation guns and wearing balaclavas, scarves and hoodies burst into the William Hill bookmakers, in Chadburn, Paston, and grabbed about £100 in change after threatening counter staff.

Police are investigating a link between the robbery and two other armed raids at a Betfred betting shop and a McDonald's restaurant on Tuesday.
Read Staff tell of gun terror as raiders strike

William Hill manager Tim Pycock said the men appeared to choose their moment to strike after the last customer left the shop at about 9.20pm.

He said: "At about 9.15pm I noticed a youth loitering outside the shop and as soon as the last customer left he came in with another youth waving imitation guns, like pellet guns.

"One of them shot a pellet into the air and then they started bashing the screen at the front of the counter with their guns."

One of the youths grabbed a change till from behind the counter and the two youths fled the shop, spilling coins on to the ground as they ran away.

Mr Pycock said he and a female colleague were shaken by the ordeal, but the shop opened for business as usual this morning. The robbers were both white, aged 17 or 18, about 5ft 8ins and of slim to medium build.

Anyone with information can call police on 0845 456 4564.