MASKED robbers armed with hammers left a store worker so shaken in a terrifying raid she had to be taken to hospital as a precaution.

Northumbria Police we were alerted to a robbery that was ongoing at the Newcastle Road Convenience Store, in Monkwearmouth, Sunderland, at 1.35pm on Tuesday.

It was reported that two males entered the premises armed with hammers and threatened a female member of staff, with a third male waiting outside.

They then stole cash and other items before all making off on foot into the nearby housing estate.

Nobody was injured but the female was left shaken by the incident and was taken to hospital as a precaution.

An investigation has been launched into the incident and officers are following a number of lines of inquiry in a bid to locate those responsible.

Detective Constable Kelly Scott, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an appalling incident that saw three shameless offenders rob a popular convenience store in the middle of the day.

“They showed a total disregard for the welfare of staff and families who rely on the store during these difficult times. Thankfully, the staff member was uninjured but was taken to hospital as a precaution.

“We are now using every tactic at our disposal to locate the men responsible.

"They were all wearing masks and gloves at the time of the offence with one wearing an orange high-vis jacket and dark bottoms, and the other two in yellow high-vis jackets.

“After committing the offence, it is believed they then turned left out of the shop towards Crozier Street.

“We are now asking anybody who saw anything suspicious or who believes they know the identity of the perpetrators to come forward. Your information, no matter how insignificant you feel it may be, could prove the key to ensuring those responsible are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact us via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log 467 171120.”