A TEENAGER has been arrested on suspicion of trying to rob a bookmakers in east Durham.

The arrest followed an incident at the Reuben Page bookmakers on Seaside Lane, Easington Colliery between 7.30pm and 7.45pm on Tuesday.

A man wearing a scarf which covered his face entered the premises, brandished a knife and demanded the female clerk hand over money from the till.

The woman employee refused and the would-be robber fled empty-handed. A description of the man was circulated and within the hour police arrested a 19-year-old from Peterlee a short distance from the shop.

It is not thought that there were any customers present at the time of the offence.

The teenager was detained on suspicion of attempted robbery and was being interviewed by detectives yesterday.

Detective Sergeant Paul Colling appealed for anyone in the area who might have seen anything suspicious between 7.30pm and 8pm on Tuesday evening to contact Peterlee CID on 0845 6060365.