THE branch manager of an off-licence has condemned a gang of robbers who hit one of his staff over the head with a bottle.

The raiders escaped from Unwins in Wincheap, Canterbury, with cigarettes worth more than £2,000, five bottles of champagne worth more than £100, £300 worth of mobile phone vouchers and an undisclosed amount of cash from the till.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the robbery, which happened at around 10pm on Saturday. A relief manager was on duty when four or five men walked in and demanded money, cigarettes and top-up cards.

They forced him into the back of the shop where he was hit over the head with a wine bottle, which fortunately failed to break, and pushed him into the staff toilet.

Branch manager Andy Mitchell said the relief manager, who police have not named, had been left bruised, mildly concussed and badly shaken.

"They were aggressive and he was frightened for his own safety. It is not a nice thing to happen to anyone. We get the odd till snatch - we had one about six weeks ago - but this was a professional job in a totally different league."

Mr Mitchell believes the raiders must have had a get-away vehicle and is hoping someone may have seen them leave the off-licence.

"There is a pub opposite, a fish and chip shop next door and Wincheap is a busy road. Someone must have seen something - even if it seems insignificant it might help. I want to see these people caught. The level of violence they used was ridiculous," he said.

The robbers were all described as around 20-years-old, black, about 6ft, of medium build wearing dark coloured track suits with hoods up. Anyone who can help is asked to phone Canterbury Police on 01227 762055 or Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.