A £50,000 reward was put up today to catch the robbers who attacked a Newport city centre bank.

And the detective leading the hunt for the men who shot a security guard in the leg at the Halifax said he thought the "net is closing in". The reward came as detectives arrested a woman in connection with the raid.

Securicor, which employs the guard, is offering the money to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and successful prosecution of the robbers.

Detective Superintendent Geoff Ronayne, stressed how crucial it was to trace the Mitsubishi Evolution VIII car used in the raid.

He also said officers now believe the offenders may be connected with the West Midlands, Leicestershire and Nottingham areas.

Last night a 23-year-old woman from the Loughborough area was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender in connection with the robbery.

She is being quizzed by officers today. Det Supt Ronayne said: "I think the net is closing in. I am sure we will find out who is responsible for these offences. We are hoping in the near future we will be making arrests.

"I strongly suspect the car was stolen from Birmingham and it is the one piece of the jigsaw that is missing as well as the number plates. "We need to know where it's (the car) being stored and where it is now and who made these number plates."

He said he believed the car may still be somewhere in South Wales - possibly still in Newport.

Det Sup Ronayne said the 55-year-old security guard, who needed surgery after being shot in the raid, is recovering.

He said: "He is out of hospital and I think it is going to be a tremendous strain coming to terms with what's happened."

Ten Gwent police officers are working with the three forces in the West Midlands, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire areas.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.