A SUSPECT has been arrested after a gunman held up a store before making off with a lottery machine.

Police were called to J&H Local in Tempest Street in Silksworth, Sunderland, after reports of an armed robbery at 9.10am yesterday.

A man went into the store and threatened staff before stealing a lottery machine. He was in possession of a handgun, although at the current time it is not known whether it was real or imitation.

No-one was been injured but those in the store were left shaken by the incident.

The lottery machine was later found in nearby Londonderry Street.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said a a 37-year-old man was arrested this morning on suspicion of robbery. He is police custody helping officers with their inquiries.