A hapless gang of armed robbers ran into triple trouble after they raided a Bradford business.

Three masked men used a silver handgun and an iron bar to snatch payroll cash from packing company Crimsons UK at Robin Mills industrial unit in Greengates.

But as they tried to make good their escape in a sports car the robbers' getaway route was blocked by a 40ft long delivery wagon turning into the site.

Abandoning their getaway car, they were chased on foot along Leeds Road by a group of men from Crimsons, who caught one of them.

Then a crew in a passing fire engine from Idle fire station station, seeing the drama unfold jumped out and helped to restrain a gun-toting robber.

A Bradford North police spokesman said: "All of the pay packet cash, an undisclosed but large amount, was recovered from the car.

"We can confirm that firefighters passing the scene got out and helped to detain the gang member until we arrived.

"The man, in his 20s and from Bradford, was arrested and is being questioned."

The two other men, also wearing balaclava masks and dark clothing, were last seen running towards Thorpe Edge Estate in the direction of Eccleshill.

They are both believed to be Asian and in their 20s.

Night caretaker Phil Isles, 48, said he had just checked on some plumbing repairs when he witnessed the aftermath of the robbery.

"I saw three men in balaclavas, one holding a pistol near his waist, come running out of the Crimson UK office," he said.

"After they got blocked off by the lorry they jumped out and started running across the road - with around 20 guys chasing after them! Then the firemen joined in and they caught one of them.

"When I saw the guy with the gun I thought 'there's no way I'm tackling him'. He looked over at me and I saw him holding the pistol near his belt."

Firefighters at Idle fire station were later reluctant to discuss their role in foiling the escape. Sub officer Paul Broomhead said: "We were heavily involved in events which happened outside Robin Mills, which we had just been passing at the time of the incident."

Police are keen to hear from anybody who witnessed the crime or who knows anything about the blue Toyota MR2, registration F538 LMY, used by the robbers.

Anyone with information should call the helpdesk on (01274) 376059.