AN APPEAL has been made for information to help police to catch the gang responsible for an armed raid on a taxi company premises.

Proprietor John McManners was slightly injured and three members of his family, plus office assistant John Shawcross, were left traumatised after the frightening ordeal at Mac's Taxis in Sherburn Road, Durham.

Four masked men, one armed with a shotgun and another with a handgun, bound Mr Shawcross and ushered him and three members of the McManners' family into a room.

Mr McManners was forced to hand over money from the safe and the raiders fled with around £1,000 in the incident last Wednesday night.

Police have appealed for information from people who may have seen the gang entering or leaving the bungalow premises at about 7.15pm.

Det Sgt Eric Malkin, of Durham City CID, said: "We've had a number of calls from local people and we're keen to encourage others to ring in if they haven't already done so.

"We are pursuing a number of promising leads which we hope will prove fruitful and, in the meantime, we have been in contact again with the family and the members of staff who were on duty.

Anyone with information should call (0191) 386 4222.