ARMED robbers are being hunted by police after raids on two shops.

Two masked men, one of them wielding a metal crowbar, burst into Panshanger Stores in Westfield, WGC, at 8.40pm on Saturday.

While one loitered by the door, the other demanded cash, and got into a scuffle with a shop worker.

The robber was prevented from getting to the counter by a second member of staff, and the pair fled empty-handed.

Police are linking the raid to another that happened at 2.45pm the following afternoon, Sunday, at Welwyn North Stores in Harmer Green Lane, Digswell.

A balaclava-clad man walked into the shop and assaulted a worker with a metal bar, leaving him with head injuries.

The raider escaped, in the direction of the railway station, with cash.

Detective inspector Robin Winder said: “Fortunately no-one was seriously injured.

“We believe there would have been several witnesses in the area at the times of the offences and are appealing for them to come forward.

“If you were near either store at the time of the incidents or saw anyone acting suspiciously we would like to hear from you.”

Call police with information on 0845 33 00 222.

* For dramatic pictures and a first-hand account of one of the raids, plus descriptions of the offenders, see the new-look Welwyn Hatfield Times, out today (Wednesday).