DETECTIVES are hunting a gang of masked raiders who burst into a shop brandishing sledgehammers and escaped with gold jewellery.

Three offenders threatened staff at Eastern Jewellers, in College Road, Shelton, at about 4pm yesterday. One of them is also thought to have had a firearm, but it was not used.

As they carried out the robbery and caused damage to the shop, a fourth person sat in a getaway car outside.

Minutes after they drove off, a black Volkswagen Golf was found abandoned more than a mile away, down an alley by Gladstone Street, Basford. Witnesses had seen men running away from the car and alerted the police.

After the raid, part of College Road was cordoned off so a forensic team could examine the scene. Buses and cars had to be diverted.

The shop where the robbers struck was close to Thomas Boughey Children's Centre, but it is not clear if any youngsters were inside at the time.

Detective Inspector Rob Thompson, from Stoke-on-Trent CID, said: "Thankfully, no one has been injured in this incident and, although shaken, the staff at the shop have been able to give us a detailed account of what happened.

"We are also reviewing CCTV from the shop and surrounding area."

Police have been delivering leaflets to residents in Shelton and Basford to appeal for information. They have also been conducting house-to-house inquiries.

Passers-by have described the aftermath of the robbery in College Road.

One Shelton resident, who asked not to be named, had just got off a train and was heading from Stoke Station towards home when she saw something was wrong at the jewellers.

She said: "I saw smoke coming out of the building. I thought there was a fire at first. But as I got nearer, it didn't smell like a fire. As I walked up, three police cars came zooming round."

Mahmood Hussain was working in a takeaway just yards from Eastern Jewellers.

The 56-year-old said: "I was sitting behind the counter when I heard a bang. I stood up and looked out. There was smoke. I saw a boy at the corner of the street saying a man had pointed a gun at him so he ran around the corner.

"I didn't see the robbers. It all happened so fast."

Praveen Emmadi had been at home in Cauldon Road when he heard the commotion.

The 22-year-old Alton Towers worker said: "I had been on a night shift and had gone to bed. I woke up and saw something had happened. It was very worrying."

Police are urging anyone with information about the robbery, or who may have seen a black car being driven erratically, to call them on 0300 123 445 or ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Police have not revealed the value of the stolen jewellery or exactly what was taken.