BY IAN CROUCH

Two men have escaped with the cash till during an armed robbery on a Shortland pie shop early Tuesday morning.

The pair, who had their faces covered, entered the Millers Pie and Sandwich Bar on Sandgate Road just after 4.30am.

One of them threatened the baker with an axe while the other grabbed the till before they fled.

They made their escape in a dark coloured Mazda 3.

The baker was shaken but otherwise unharmed during the hold-up.