A 22-year-od security guard is facing surgery to his knee after he was shot by armed raiders.

Two masked Asian men held up the Co-op in Legrams Lane, Lidget Green last night, letting off a shot from a handgun before running off with an amount of cash.

In their bid to flee the scene they hijacked a BMW car on nearby Arncliffe Terrace, firing the gun into the air to scare the driver and passenger out of the vehicle.

But the thieves crashed the BMW into a parked car a short distance away on Preston Street and fled on foot.

The Co-op's security guard was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary and is due to undergo an operation to his leg tomorrow.

His injuries are described as serious but not life threatening.

An armed response unit was deployed to the scene after the incident which occurred at 10pm yesterday.

Bradford police are asking for anyone with any information to contact them on (01274) 376259.