THREE masked raiders escaped with cash and cigarettes after bursting into a York corner shop.

The three entered Pat's Place, an off licence and general store in Bishopthorpe Road, where they threatened the assistant and ordered her to open the till.

They were then handed an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes before running off towards the Millennium Bridge.

It has not been revealed if a weapon was used.

The shop's proprietor, Pat Jones, said today: "Everyone is fine. The whole matter is in the hands of the police and I don't want to comment any further."

The robbery happened at about 9.45pm on Saturday.

The three robbers are aged between 16 and 18. All were wearing masks and hooded tops. They were carrying a black rucksack.

Updated: 15:02 Monday, March 18, 2002