AN all-night snooker hall is reviewing its 24-hour operations following an armed robbery.

A masked man and woman burst into Riley's Pool Hall, in Yarm Lane, Stockton, in the early hours yesterday, threatened a male member of staff with a crowbar and hammer, bundled him into a toilet cubicle and tied him up.

They ransacked the premises, kicked down the door to the manager's office, trashed gaming and change machines and stole the video in the security camera before they made off with a substantial amount of money.

Pool hall manager Andrew Noon said: "I am outraged and annoyed more than anything about the robbery, which was cheeky.

"We are a very busy club, with a good membership, good, loyal customers and very rarely have any trouble, but we are having to review whether it is worth staying open 24 hours. My principal concern is staff safety."

The employee managed to struggle loose after half an hour and called his manager.

While he was uninjured, he was shaken by his ordeal.

Mr Noon said: "It can only be a complete estimate, but I would say they stole between £2,000 and £3,000 -the majority of it in pound coins as it was stolen from the fruit machines. I would say it is someone who knew the club, knew how it worked.

"They have trashed the place."

Although wearing masks, Cleveland Police know the man was of Asian appearance. His female accomplice was white. The man was 5ft 9in and wore a dark tracksuit and dark woollen gloves.

The woman was slim, about 5ft 5in and wore a white tracksuit with a white zipped top.

Both were in their early to mid-20s.

They fled down a rear fire escape into Bridge Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01642) 302226.