Armed robbers escaped with a haul of cash after threatening the owner of a Bradford newsagent's at gunpoint.

Four men burst into the premises in Old Road, Horton Bank, at 5.50pm yesterday brandishing two handguns.

They forced the owner to open the till and hand over an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman told the Telegraph & Argus that no shots were fired during yesterday's raid and the owner was not injured during the ordeal.

The armed raiders were all described as being of Asian appearance and believed to be aged in their late teens to early 20s.

They were all wearing hooded tops.

Police say they are keeping an "open mind" about whether the robbery could be linked to an almost identical raid in Bradford four days earlier.

Both incidents involved a gang of four men carrying handguns.

In the incident on Thursday night armed raiders stole cash and cigarettes after threatening to shoot the owner of an off-licence in Carr Bottom Road, Bankfoot.

Sandeep Rana had a gun pointed in his face by the robbers who stole just £30 from his shop.

Mr Rana said he had been threatened with guns, knives and hammers and attacked with a cosh in the past.

He is now considering quitting the business after this latest raid.

Witnesses or anyone with information about either incident should telephone Bradford South CID on (01274) 376459, or Crimestop-pers, which is free and confidential, on 0800 555111.

l Police have arrested one man in connection with the robbery at Horton Bank. He was in custody early today.