POLICE investigating an armed robbery at a building society in Stockton have tonight arrested two men.

The raid took place at about 4.30pm when a man walked into the Darlington Building Society on the High Street, armed with a knife. He escaped with an undisclosed sum of money.

Eye witnesses claimed that a man, who appeared to be disabled, entered Darlington Building Society and threatened a member of staff with a knife before escaping on foot along the high street.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "Officers were called to Darlington Building Society in Stockton at around 4.30pm today, following reports that a man brandishing a knife had made off with a quantity of cash.

"Police conducted a local area search involving the force helicopter and units on the ground.

"A 40-year-old local man was arrested on Norton Road on suspicion of robbery and is currently in police custody.

"A 38-year-old local man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit robbery and is in police custody."

A spokesman for Darlington Building Society said: "We are very relieved that nobody was hurt in this incident and all of the staff affected will receive our full support.

"We are also assisting the police investigation in any way necessary."