Two masked raiders burst in to a Bradford building society and threatened staff with a machine gun.

And just minutes earlier, a man made off with a "substantial amount of money" after an incident at a neighbouring building society.

Detectives say the two incidents are not being linked. Two armed robbers, both wearing balaclavas, demanded cash from counter staff at the Duckworth Lane branch of the Abbey National.

No shots were fired and no one was hurt during the incident, which happened at around 4.30pm yesterday.

The men left empty handed after staff triggered the security switch - activating bulletproof security shutters.

Police say the weapon used in the attempted robbery appeared to be a machine gun. They issued a description of the two robbers and appealed for anyone with information about the raid to come forward. Police said: "Two masked men entered the Duckworth Lane branch of the Abbey National Building Society armed with what appeared to be a machine gun-type weapon.

"They threatened staff, but the security screen was activated and they left the premises. No shots were fired and nothing was taken."

The man carrying the gun is described as around 6ft tall, of medium build, wearing a balaclava and dark coat. The second man was wearing a black jacket.

The building society was open for business as usual this morning. A spokesman for Abbey National said: "No one was hurt. There were no customers in the branch at the time."

Half an hour earlier, a robber made off with a large amount of cash from Bradford & Bingley Building Society, also in Duckworth Lane. A man entered the shop at about 4pm and threatened staff.

A substantial amount of money was handed over and the man escaped in a car parked in Jesmond Avenue.

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