TWO armed robbers who carried out a string of raids at newsagents and bookmakers have been jailed.

Tommy Ellingham, of Frogmore Avenue, Hayes, and Peter Wheeler, of White Hart Avenue, Uxbridge, took part in a 'two week crime wave' in London and the Thames Valley area.

They threatened a shopkeeper with a Walther CP88 air gun and stole cash and cigarettes in the last robbery, on January 16 at a newsagents in Chiseldon, Swindon.

Wiltshire Police appealed for witnesses and released CCTV stills of the pair during the hold-up, their faces partially covered by scarves.

Both men appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday (June 1).

Wheeler, 23, admitted to eight robberies and eight firearms charges at an earlier hearing and was jailed for 15 years.

Ellingham, 22, was sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to seven robberies.

DC Liz Coles, the investigating officer, said: "These men were responsible for a two week crime wave that not only resulted in the theft of hundreds of pounds, but also included intimidation and threats of violence against the people that they were stealing from.

"Fortunately no-one was seriously injured as a result of their actions. Nevertheless their behaviour caused great distress to their victims, some of which have been left traumatised by what happened to them."