Detectives are investigating a possible link between two shop robberies, one involving handguns.

In the first raid, two masked men walked straight to the checkout of the shop in Otley Road, Undercliffe, and demanded money from the till.

The robbery, between 4pm and 4.30pm on Saturday, is the latest in a string of raids at Co-op stores across the region.

No shots were fired and no one was injured as the pair, both Afro-Caribbeans, left the shop with money and drove off in a grey Nissan Micra.

The first man was of medium build, in his mid-20s, with short black hair. He wore blue jeans, a black combat-style jacket, white trainers and a white cotton scarf with black dots which covered his mouth and chin.

The second was about the same age and 6ft 2ins tall. He wore a visor-type hat, sunglasses, white bandana with red dots covering his face, dark coloured jeans and a navy blue cotton, waist-length zipped jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to call Bradford North CID on 01274 376059.

The second robbery was just before lunchtime yesterday at a newsagents in Little Horton Lane, Bradford.

Two Afro-Caribbean men held down the shopkeeper and stole money, phone cards, cigarettes and other stock before escaping in a silver Nissan hatchback.

Both men were aged between 25 and 30.

One was 6ft tall, wearing a plain blue baseball cap, waist length brown jacket and blue jeans. The second man was said to be 5ft 8ins tall, wearing a dark blue thin jacket and blue jeans.

Detective Inspector Rob Sumner, from Bradford South CID, said: "We are looking into the possibility that the robberies involved the same individuals."