POLICE in York are seeking witnesses to two armed robberies in the city on Friday evening.

The first took place at the Tote bookmakers on Gale Lane, Acomb, at about 8.15pm.

A man armed with a hammer threatened staff and smashed a glass screen protecting the cashier.

The terrified cashier handed over a substantial amount of cash to the robber, who fled.

The man is described as 5ft 3 to 5ft 6ins tall, in his late teens or early 20s and speaking with a local accent.

He was wearing a white jacket and black tracsuit bottoms and had his face covered.

The second robbery, though to be unconnected, was at the Spar shop and petrol station at Mill Lane garage, at about 9.30pm.

Three masked men threatened staff with weapons and forced them to hand over a quantity of cash.

They were wearing tracksuit bottoms, hooded tops or coats and had their faces covered. They are thought to be in their late 20s.

Police would particularly like to speak to the occupants of a dark coloured five-door hatchback, which was at the scene near the time of the robbery. The driver, a man in his 40s, and his passengers, may have information important to the investigation.

Anyone with information on either of these incidents is asked to call police on 0845-6060-247.