DETECTIVES are investigating an armed robbery in west Belfast.

Police say staff were threatened with a hammer during an attempted robbery at a takeaway restaurant on the Shankill Road last night.

A number of masked men entered the premises armed with a hammer just after 11pm and demanded that staff open the till.

The staff refused to do so and the would-be robbers fled the scene.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them on the non-emergency number 101.

Or they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.