FISH and chip shop staff were threatened with a handgun in a terrifying late night raid on Friday.

The three women were confronted by two masked men brandishing a handgun and a baseball bat in Beedle's Chippy, Oaklea Terrace, Bishop Auckland, as the shop was closing at 11.10pm.

Police said the women ran into a store room at the back of the shop and managed to close the door. The raider carrying the gun tried to force his way into the room.

Detective Sergeant Shaun Jackson, of Bishop Auckland police, said: "They managed to hold him off. They were terrified.

"They were threatened and demands were made for cash."

The women raised the alarm after the men fled, taking with them about £98 from the till.

Det Sgt Jackson appealed for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward with information.

He said: "If anyone saw anything at all, perhaps a vehicle speeding away from the area, we would like them to let us know."

Contact Bishop Auckland CID on (01388) 603566 or the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

* A 17-year-old youth and a 22-year-old man have been jointly charged with robbery and are due to appear before Sedgefield magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe this morning.