POLICE are appealing for information after men clad in balaclavas "viciously" and violently robbed a Co-op store, leaving a woman with a fractured cheekbone.

Three men wearing the face masks entered the Co-operative in Whitehall Road, Drighlington, at 10.06pm on Monday and threatened three female members of staff.

They demanded access to the safe but the women refused and tried to fight them off.

One of the men attacked two of the staff members, repeatedly punching one in the face, leaving her with a fractured cheekbone and significant bruising and swelling which required hospital treatment.

He also hit another woman on the head but she was not injured.

While that man was attacking the two women, another of the robbers forced open the tills and removed cash.

The three men then fled the scene in a silver Nissan Juke, which was being driven by a fourth man. The car displayed the false registration DN57 MXJ, which belongs to a Vauxhall Astra.

Detective Inspector Richard Holmes, of Leeds District CID, said: “This was a truly terrifying experience for the victims, particularly the woman who was viciously attacked and seriously injured.

“She and her colleagues have been left understandably very distressed by this incident and we urgently need to identify the men responsible.

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries and we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident or who saw the men or the vehicle in the area at any time leading up to or after the robbery.

“That vehicle is still outstanding and we would like to hear from anyone who has seen it parked up or abandoned anywhere.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Leeds District CID via 101 quoting crime reference number 13180427412, use the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.