Two men accused of robbing the owner of a Carlisle jewellery shop have appeared in court.

Police responded on Thursday following an incident inside St Nicholas Galleries in the city's Bank Street at about 2.15pm.

An area of the street was cordoned off as an investigation began.

This morning, Daniel Burtak, 32, and 35-year-old Ashley John Entwistle appeared in the dock at North and West Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Carlisle.

They each face one charge. This alleges the robbery of a man - said to be the shop owner - of "jewellery to the value of an amount yet to be determined".

No pleas were indicated to the charge by either Burtak or Entwistle, both of whom wore grey sweatshirts and spoke only to confirm their identities during a court hearing lasting less than 10 minutes.

After being given a brief summary of events surrounding the alleged robbery from prosecutor Tom Snape, magistrates committed the case to Carlisle Crown Court, where the defendants are due to appear on July 12.

In the meantime Burtak, of no fixed abode but previously of Kaber, near Kirkby Stephen; and Entwistle, of Athlone Avenue, Bolton, Greater Manchester, were remanded in custody.

*Following Thursday's incident, Cumbria police asked anybody who saw a blue Ford Fiesta or "possibly a black Audi A3" to get in touch, and continue to appeal for information.

In a public appeal, Detective Chief Inspector Helen Harkins said: “All information or sightings could be vital to this investigation. If you have any photographs, video footage or dashcam of any of the incident or the vehicles involved, please get in touch.

"If you live in the area around Spencer Street, Chatsworth Square, Chiswick Street, Warwick Road and Victoria Place, please can you check your bins and back gardens for any abandoned bags or clothing."

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.