Police believe the man was part of a gang of three masked raiders who stole cash from Gala Bingo on Pallion New Road, Sunderland, at about 7.30pm last night.

The men, wearing ski masks and dark clothing, stormed the bingo hall armed with baseball bats and threatened staff before making off with the money in a dark vehicle.

Quick-thinking Gala staff activated the alarm, alerting police about the incident.

Minutes later, there was a report of a blazing vehicle behind the Cornings factory, near where the Old Cottage pub used to be off Trimdon Street.

CCTV footage shows three men running from the burning wreckage, with one of them ablaze.

Police believe they are the same three who were involved in the armed robbery.

Detective Inspector Ron Cruikshanks said: "Shortly after the robbery there was a report of a vehicle on fire along the road."

"We believe it is the same vehicle used by the three men after the robbery because it is dark coloured and the same shape.

"Inquiries in the area in relation to CCTV shows three people running from the vehicle. However, one of the men appears to be on fire. It seems when they burnt out the car it went wrong."

Gala staff were left shaken but fortunately no-one was injured by the raiders.

It is understood there were customers in the bingo hall at the time of the robbery, but no-one was hurt.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information on the raid.

A police spokesman said: "Our inquiries are based on any suspicious activities before the attack, any information involving three people in a dark vehicle outside the venue.

"Anyone who saw them burning the vehicle, and anyone who has burn injuries because clearly the person is going to be injured."

One fire crew from Sunderland Central station put out the blazing car and confirmed that police are investigating it as arson.

Anyone with information should contact Sunderland police on 08456 043043 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.