A £10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of armed robbers who struck at a Kent supermarket.

Securitas has offered the reward in the hope it will prompt witnesses to come forward after two of their guards were threatened by three robbers at Asda in Kimberley Way, Ashford, as they loaded a cash machine.

Gunshots were fired during the raid. The gang escaped in a red Bedford Rascal van before jumping onto mopeds. They got away with thousands of pounds in cash.

Detectives investigating the robbery have released CCTV images of the gang. Some of the pictures show the face of one of the men involved in the incident which happened at around 9.20am on Wednesday.

Another image shows one of the gang members in a balaclava mask armed with a handgun while a picture from another camera shows another robber walking outside the supermarket.

Two of the men, both armed with handguns and wearing fluorescent jackets, confronted and threatened two Securitas staff as they refilled a cash machine. The robbers then grabbed a holdall containing the money.

As the men escaped, a member of the public challenged one of the robbers who then fired his handgun at the man’s leg, though the bullet was deflected by a set of keys in his pocket.

The two men then ran towards the third gang member who had got out of the red Bedford Rascal van nearby after noticing the commotion.

The robbers jumped over a fence, got into the van, which was then driven around 50 metres. It is believed the gang then got out, ran under a bridge and got onto mopeds that had been left close to Bulleid Park.

They rode them without helmets along a footpath before turning into Cudworth Road. They were last sighted turning into Curtis Road from an alleyway. The machines were found dumped in Curtis Road.

Officers have recovered the mopeds and the van for forensic examination.

Police have set up an incident room hotline for people to telephone - 01233 896180.

Det Chief Insp Tony Kofkin said: "The actions of a member of the public who intervened were extremely brave but these robbers are armed and dangerous and these men should not be approached.

"We want the public’s help to find out more about the movements of the red van the gang used to escape. If anyone saw the van between 8am and 9.30am on Wednesday or near the Asda store, please call us.

"Did you see any of the suspects during the robbery or as they escaped along the pathway that runs parallel to Maunsell Place. Did you see any of the men as they rode away on mopeds?

"Look at the images – do you recognise any of the robbers? Do the descriptions of the men remind you of anyone?"

You can also call Kent CrimeStoppers on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name and you may be eligible for a cash reward.