A SECURITY company has put up a reward to help catch masked raiders who took more than £70,000 in a bank robbery.

Securicor has offered £5,000 for the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the raid at Barclays Bank, Barnard Castle, last week and the recovery of the money.

The gang struck as staff from Securicor arrived at the bank in the early hours of Tuesday, September 2.

A female security guard was attacked and knocked to the ground by the robbers, who were carrying wooden staves.

They then made off down a nearby alleyway to a waiting car, thought to be a small hatchback.

No arrests have been made, and detectives are hoping the reward will encourage anyone who knows who carried out the raid to come forward.

Detective Constable Jim Lawrie said: "Securicor's offer is very timely and, with luck, may lead us to some valuable clues. We believe the robbers may have been in the area for some time before the offence, and would urge anyone with information to ring Bishop Auckland CID or Crimestoppers."

The police can be contacted on (01388) 603566, and Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.