SIX people were arrested today (Thursday October 30) in the wake of an armed raid at a small town store.

The robbery took place at the Co-op premises in Ryton, near Gateshead, at 9.10am yesterday (Wednesday October 29).

Two men, one believed to have been carrying a firearm, approached a security guard carrying a cash box.

They threatened him and made off with the box in a getaway vehicle.

The car was later found burned out, several miles away in the Throckley area, west of Newcastle.

Police armed with warrants made the arrests at two addresses in Gateshead, and one in Scotswood, Newcastle, today (Thursday October 30).

Men aged 57, 51 and 46 were detained, while woman aged 48, 43 and 40 were also arrested and all remained in police custody helping with inquiries tonight (Thursday October 30).

Officers are continuing to appeal for information from anyone who was in the area of the store, in Parsons Drive, and who may have witnessed the robbery, or anyone with any other information about the raid, to contact them on 101, extension 69191, quoting reference 247 29/10/14.