AN armed gang terrified staff at a jewellers shop after bursting in brandishing a gun and an axe before smashing up display cases and fleeing with hundreds of thousands of pounds of watches and diamonds.

The four balaclava-wearing men stormed into The Market Cross Jewellers in the upmarket town of Yarm, near Stockton, just before closing time today (Monday, November 10).

One member of staff managed to flee, while another was thrown to the floor, the raiders forcing two more into a toilet before ransacking the jewellers on the town's High Street.

They then fled in a light-coloured car.

Among the jewellery stolen were distinctive Rolex and Breitling watches, worth thousands of pounds each.

They also tried to smash their way into a Gucci display cabinet but were repelled by the toughened glass.

The shop was littered with broken glass and smashed display cabinets were strewn around the floor, while the front window's empty display boxes were scattered all over the premises.

None of the staff were injured during the robbery, however, company manager Dawn Welsh said the staff were extremely shaken by their ordeal.

She said: "Four men came into the shop all wearing balaclavas and gloves - they were completely covered up. They were armed with a gun, an axe and possibly a hammer. As soon as one of the staff saw the gun she ran out of the shop and hit the panic button.

"The staff are in a terrible state, they are really traumatised by it and one of the girls can't really speak at the moment. The gentleman was thrown on the floor and the duty manageress was forced into a toilet and understandably stayed there.

"They all reacted how they were expected to react - just get out of the way and let them do what they want to do. Everybody knows where the panic buttons are, they know they have to stay calm and keep out of the way.

"I couldn't believe when they told me it was Yarm High Street. I thought they had told me the wrong shop, you can't get in our out of the High Street at the best of times.

"We know the police helicopter was up and we have been told they have found the vehicle that they left in but we don't know anything else yet.

"They seem to have some leads already, but they won't say anything to us. Hopefully, word gets out and they can get a bit more information. We can release all of  the serial numbers of all the pre-owned Rolex watches as we keep really good records.

"We don't know how much has been stolen, but it's hundreds of thousands of pounds - we're just trying not to think about it at the moment."

The shop was sealed off by police while officers carried out their investigation before the traumatised staff were taken away to give witness statements.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "Police were called to reports of a robbery at a jewellers on Yarm High street just before 5pm today. We are investigating reports that the men responsible were armed, however, there are no reports of any shop staff or members of the public being injured.

"Officers remain in the area in a bid to trace the suspects who are believed to have left in a light-coloured vehicle.

"Members of the public should not be unduly alarmed though obviously we need to apprehend the suspects as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police as a matter of urgency. Please use the 101 number, or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.