POLICE are hunting for a van after two men wearing masks and brandishing weapons burst into a bank in Southampton in a terrifying robbery attempt.

The duo, who are believed to have been carrying hammers, staged the raid at a Santander branch on the campus of the University of Southampton yesterday (Tues, July 28).

However they left empty-handed, with the attempt sparking a major police hunt for the two men and a van they were believed to have driven away from the scene.

The drama unfolded at about 10.14am when the men, one of whom was wearing a grey hooded top and the other a black one, burst into the branch in Burgess Road.

They threatened the member of staff on duty with their makeshift weapons and demanded money, with one of them vaulting onto the bank's counter.

But despite their threats they left the bank empty-handed before fleeing the scene in a van.

Five police cars rushed to the scene while a major manhunt was launched to find the duo, who may have been working with an accomplice.

Hampshire Constabulary say the vehicle they are looking for in connection with the raid is a small, white van with the registration of YK03 FHG.

It may have had two or three occupants, and has silver foil covering its rear windows, and was last seen driving northwards on The Avenue shortly after the attempted robbery.

Soon after the attempt police officers moved in to investigate the scene and interview the member of staff who had faced the would-be robbers.

She was shaken but unhurt.

Crime scene investigators scoured the inside of the bank, while officers conducted door to door enquiries at neighbouring businesses and houses.

Dozens of items were left scattered across the floor of the branch after the raiders knocked them onto the floor during the attempt.

The bank and the area outside were cordoned off for several hours as the police investigation continued yesterday.

Residents living near to the scene said they had heard the bank's alarm go off several times in recent days, once last week and once over the weekend.

Police have warned members of the public not to approach the van if they see it, but to call police.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Hampshire Constabulary on 101.