Armed robbers pistol-whipped a shop assistant in the face when he refused to hand over cash in a "shocking" raid.

The man, who is in his late 30s, was taken to hospital for stitches to a deep gash in his cheek following the robbery at the Co-op food shop in The Staithes, off Baildon Road, Baildon.

He was in the shop with another shop assistant when the three masked raiders wearing dark clothing walked into the shop just minutes before closing time at about 11.55pm on yesterday.

The men demanded he open the safe but when he told them he didn't have the keys, one hit him in the face with what is believed to be a hand gun.

The thieves then ran off towards Baildon village with a haul of cash from the till and a large quantity of electricity tokens, a police spokesman said.

Police were today continuing their hunt for the suspects, who are described as white men.

Two were wearing dark clothing from head to foot including either balaclavas or scarves to cover their faces.

The third man was wearing a distinctive hooded top with a design of light grey and dark grey horizontal stripes across the top and the sleeves. He was also wearing a pair of light brown gloves.

A spokesman for the Co-operative Group said: "Both staff members have been left shaken by the incident. CCTV footage of the robbery has been handed to police and as with any incident such as this and security measures at the store are being reviewed."

Anyone with any information should contact either Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or Keighley CID on (01535) 617085.

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