A CASHIER has told of his terror after he was robbed at gunpoint by masked raiders.

Family man Abu Bakir was cashing up alone at closing time in the money transfer office where he works when two men, armed with a pistol, walked in.

One of them pointed the gun at him while his accomplice grabbed hundreds of pounds from the cash drawer.

The robbers, who were disguised in balaclava masks and hoods, fled on foot - pursued by a 78-year-old man and a Bradford Councillor.

Mr Bakir, 40, the father of a young child, said: "It was terrifying. I was very upset by what happened and I could not sleep afterwards."

The armed robbery took place at the Jabin Money Transfer shop in Browning Street, Barkerend, Bradford.

Mr Bakir said he was sat behind a desk, counting the money to be deposited at a bank, when the two men walked in.

"At first I thought they were customers but then I saw their faces were covered by black balaclavas, with just the eyes showing.

"One of them was holding a gun, which he pointed at me. The other one was saying something. He was speaking in a different language. I couldn't understand the words, but the message was clear.

"The man with the gun kept it pointed at me while the other grabbed cash from the till drawer. Then they left."

Mr Bakir said he shouted for help and the men were chased down the road, but escaped into Seymour Park, in the direction of Maudsley Street. They are thought to have got away with about £800.

Ahmed Mushtaq, who was working in the shop next door, Uniform Warehouse, said he heard banging from the money transfer shop and saw two young men running away. He said a 78-year-old man tried to run after the suspects but could not catch them.

Councillor Hassan Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) was driving past with his three children in his car when he saw the robbers fleeing.

Cllr Khan said: "I drove after them but they disappeared into the park. It wasn't safe to chase them by myself, especially with my children there, but I could see them talking to each other in the park.

"It is really concerning. It is generally a nice, peaceful neighbourhood, but there are serious issues with drugs and quad bikes, and action needs to be taken.

"It must have been very scary for the victim of the robbery. I will be talking to the police about the issues and pushing even harder for more security cameras in light of this incident."

Both men were wearing wearing dark clothing with hoods up when they struck at 310pm on Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Ryan Bragg, of Bradford CID, said: "Thankfully the staff member was not harmed, but this was a frightening experience for them and we understand that this will also cause some concern in the wider community. We have increased patrols in the area and are making extensive inquiries to identify and locate those involved.

"This offence happened during daylight hours in what is predominantly a residential area and we are hopeful that someone will have seen these two men around the time of this robbery.

"We would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious, or has information about the identities of those responsible, to call Bradford CID on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."