POLICE are appealing for witnesses after armed raiders went on the rampage at a Whitefield store.

Video footage showed three masked thugs bursting into the Hazel Road Mini Market around 9.30pm on Friday, September 7.

The gang threatened the 62-year-old female shop assistant with what appeared to be a black handgun and demanded money from the till.

When the terrified woman explained that she could not open the till without making a sale the three men, who were disguised with make-shift white balaclavas and hoods, started wrecking the store.

They kicked over a stand of goods and the cash register, which was on the counter, before fleeing empty-handed.

Detective Sergeant Dave Baines of Whitefield CID said: "I have looked at the CCTV footage and this was a horrendous crime. The men pointed the gun at the shop assistant and tried to get her to open the till. When they couldn't get their way they turned violent then fled. Fortunately the woman was not injured but she was badly shaken up by the incident."

He appealed for any information leading to the capture of the gang and encouraged witnesses to contact Whitefield CID on 856 8248.

Two of the men wore white balaclavas which could have been made from a pillow case with the eyes cut out, and dark blue or black clothing.

The third man, who is described as white, wore a lighter blue jacket with a NIKE logo across the front in white lettering, and a dark baseball cap with his hood pulled over his head to hide his face.

It is believed the gang could have escaped in a white E-reg vehicle, possibly a Ford.