Police are linking two gun-related incidents in Malvern and are appealing for help in tracing the criminals.

They believe an armed robbery at Newtown Road bookmaker RJ Racing, on New Year's Eve, was carried out by the same man who held a woman up at gun-point on the doorstep of her Leigh Sinton Road home last Saturday.

A second man was also seen waiting outside the betting shop.

Det Insp Dave Bartlett said: "We believe the criminals involved in both incidents are local and that there are a number of people in Malvern who know, or have their suspicions, as to who they are. Both incidents involved firearms, whether real or replica we do not know yet for sure, and have naturally caused great upset for the people who were targeted."

He said there was strong evidence that the two men in the first incident and the man in the second came from the town or neighbourhood.

Bookie Bob Mason, the victim of the armed robbery on New Year's Eve, was forced to hand over more than £1,000.

"I was just about to close up when a man slammed through the door and shoved a gun into my face," he said.

Mr Mason, whose wife Jenny was with him when the robbery happened, said he would not let the robbers stop him from opening his shop.

He opened up the next morning and has been open for business as normal since.

"You can't let something like this stop you. This is my business, my livelihood," said Mr Mason.

However, he is worried another businesses could be targeted.

"With a gun they can walk in and demand cash in any sort of shop. I'll be very glad when they're caught," he said.

The armed robber was thin, 6ft 3in, wearing a dark waterproof hooded jacket, stone-washed jeans and grey woollen balaclava with eye-holes. There is no description of the second man.

Two men arrested in connection with both incidents were released by police yesterday.

n Woman stands up to gun threat, see page 16.