MASKED robbers armed with axes and sledgehammers raided a jewellery shop yesterday morning (Wednesday).

A group of up to five men ran into Zehra Jewellery in Seven Sisters Road, Holloway, at 10.15am, smashed open the glass display cases and made off with a haul of necklaces and rings.

They escaped in the direction of Hornsey Road in a stolen car, which had been parked in the bus lane outside the shop.

The 53-year-old owner suffered shock and minor injuries to his hands from broken glass. He was treated at the scene by London Ambulance Service.

It is the second time in less than two months that Zehra Jewellery has been targeted by armed thieves. In November, a gang of three barged their way into the store and attempted to smash a glass cabinet with a claw hammer, but fled empty handed when one of the shop staff intervened.

Flying Squad officers have appealed for witnesses to the latest incident. They were unable to issue detailed descriptions of the suspects, but believe the one who stood guard outside the shop, while wielding an axe, was black.

The getaway car was a silver-grey BMW 320 series, registration number Y494 SRD, which had been stolen on Christmas Eve in the Kilburn area.

Anyone with information, or who saw the car before or after the robbery, is asked to contact the Flying Squad at Finchley on 020 8358 1751 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.