TWO masked men, brandishing knives, threatened staff at a bookmakers before making off with cash.

The incident happened at Betfred at The Green in the Southwick area of Sunderland at around 8.40pm last night.

The men ran off towards the Beaumont Street area.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the men either before of afterwards should contact the police at Washington on 03456 043043 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.