A PAIR of robbers wearing black tights pulled down over their faces grabbed cash from a Leytonstone bookmakers.

The men entered Moony Racing, in Cann Hall Road, shortly after 12.30pm on Thursday, February 12.

One of the men, thought to be carrying a gun, stormed the cashier and demanded she hand over the takings. The gunman, who appeared to have a handgun wrapped in a bag, ordered the terrified cashier to put the money into a black and white plastic bag.

As the cashier took the money from the safe and filled the carrier bag, the second robber acted as lookout.

The bookmakers is close to the junction with Odessa Road, and as soon as the robbers had the money they left the shop and were seen making off along Odessa Road.

The robbers were both described as black, between 5ft 10ins and 6ft tall, aged in their early 20s. The men spoke with a local accent and each one used a pair of black tights pulled tightly down over his face to disguise his features.

As well as the stocking masks, they were wearing black bomber jackets with fur on the hoods and dark bottoms.

DC Colin Buckmaster of the Flying Squad said the police were anxious to trace anyone who might have seen the men fitting the descriptions entering the shop or sitting in a car in or near Odessa Road immediately before the robbery took place.

DC Buckmaster said: "Using tights as stocking masks does make very effective disguises. It is likely they would have pulled on the masks/tights as they entered the shop.

"It is possible the men were sitting in a vehicle nearby just minutes before the robbery."

Anyone with any information on the robbery should contact D.C Buckmaster on 8345 4226.