Robbers wielding an old-fashioned musket and a crowbar made off with cash after threatening staff at a Darlington video store.

Detectives were last night hunting two men after they smashed their way into Blockbuster video, in Grange Road, shortly after 10pm on Sunday.

Two members of staff - a man and woman - who were cashing up the day's takings, were threatened with the weapons before the robbers escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.

The men, who were wearing black balaclavas, fled in an unidentified vehicle.

One of the robbers' balaclava had a white eye surround and he was wearing dark clothing and training shoes.

Detective Sergeant Dave Wilks, of Darlington CID, said: "Fortunately the shop staff were not injured in any way but were left very shaken by the incident."

It is the second time the Blockbusters store has been targeted - 18 months ago it was the subject of a ramraid but the would-be thieves left empty-handed.

Detectives said last night it was keeping an open mind about a possible link between the two incidents and with other armed robberies in the town within the past six months.

Anybody with any information is asked to contact Darlington CID on (01325) 467681 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.