Police are hunting an armed robber who left two women in terror in separate attacks on consecutive days.

One woman had her car stolen by a man who threatened her with an axe on Tuesday night.

And yesterday evening the same car was used by a raider who threatened a woman newsagent with what appeared to be a hammer before stealing the till.

Both women were physically unhurt but were badly shocked by their ordeals.

Detective Inspector Gerry O'Shea, of Bradford North CID, said the stolen Renault had been used in last night's robbery in Bradford Road, Frizing-hall.

He said: "It is extremely concerning to have two such serious incidents in such a short space of time and we are treating them as a priority.

"But the public should be reassured that such incidents are not common."

Police are anxious to trace the car, which is a red Renault Clio, registered V911 AFE.

The car-jacking happened in Princeville Road, Lidget Green, Bradford, at 4pm on Tuesday.

The axe-wielding robber opened the driver's door and threatened the woman after she had started the engine.

The suspect was described as being Asian, in his mid to late 20s, 5ft 7ins tall, slim, and wearing a dark woolly hat.

Det Insp O' Shea said of the carjacking: "This lady sensibly did the right thing by not resisting.

"The attacker was carrying an axe and the potential for this incident to have been more serious is obvious.

"We are keen to trace this suspect as a matter of priority and we believe the suspect may have been in the area prior to the incident taking place.

"It is now doubly important that we hear from anyone who has information about either incident, or may have seen the suspect hanging around Princeville Road."

Anyone with any information should contact Bradford North police on 01274 376259 or Crimestoppers, which is free and confidential, on 0800 555 111.

Last night's robbery at the newsagents in Frizinghall took place just before 6.30pm.

After grabbing the till the man fled to the car which was parked outside and had at least one other person in it who was driving.

The suspect is described as around 6ft tall, dark skinned and wearing light coloured clothes on the top half of his body, a baseball cap and check scarf.

Keighley Police are urging anyone with information about the Frizinghall robbery to contact them on (01535) 617059.