DETECTIVES have ruled out a link between armed raids at shops in County Durham villages on Sunday evening.

In one incident two masked raiders, armed with a handgun, made off with several thousands pounds worth of jewellery and a small amount of cash from Ryan's Newsagents, in Langley Moor, near Durham.

A lone masked robber, armed with a knife, escaped with a small amount of cash from the Co-op in Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, about 15 minutes later, at 10pm.

Police said that a shop assistant ordered to the rear of Ryan's, in Front Street South, was unhurt, but badly shaken by the ordeal.

The raiders, who took gold jewellery from a display cabinet, were both in their mid-30s, wore black knitted gloves and spoke with local accents.

One was about 5ft 7in and stockily built. He wore a black ribbed woolly hat, a navy quilted jacket and dark jeans.

His accomplice was shorter and wore a dark jacket, jeans and shoes.

The man responsible for the Pelton robbery was 6ft, broad-built and spoke with a local accent.

Anyone who saw the men near the Langley Moor newsagents, at 9.45pm on Sunday, is asked to contact Durham City police, on 0191-386 4222.

Information about the raid in Front Street, Pelton, should be passed to Chester-le-Street police, on 0191-388 4311.