KENT Police are investigating the theft of money taken during an armed robbery outside an Asda store early this morning.

Money was taken from Securitas employees who were filling a cash machine outside the store in Kimberley Way at Ashford. The incident happened at about 9.20am.

Men threatened Securitas staff and drove away in a red Bedford Rascal van. The van was later abandoned near the scene and has been recovered for forensic examination.

A police spokesman said: "There were reports of shots being fired but no-one suffered gun shot wounds."