THREE men carrying knives burst into a convenience store and forced staff to hand over cash, cigarettes and phone top-up cards.

Two male assistants working in the Alldays shop in Highgate Hill at Hawkhurst were threatened and one was warned that if he touched the panic button he would be hurt. The staff offered no resistance and let the thieves, who had their faces obscured with clothes, take what they wanted.

The robbers escaped with less than £200 from the raid which happened at around 9.45pm on Saturday - just 15 minutes before the shop was due to close.

Assistant manageress Rachel Lomax said: "Because the staff were preparing to close up, most of the day's takings had already been locked up in the safe."

The staff were shocked, but unhurt and have since returned to work. There were no customers were in the shop at the time of the raid.

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the offenders either before or after the raid.

The first man is about 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, wearing a dark jacket with a hood or cap, and wearing a face mask to cover his nose and mouth.

The second man is white, about 5ft 11in, medium build and wearing a dark jacket, a black hood and cap with a mask covering his nose and mouth. He spoke with a southern accent. There is no detailed description of the third offender, but he was of similar appearance to the first two.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Nigel Douglas at Ashford Police Station on 01233 619188. Alternatively call the Crimestoppers Hotline free on 0800 555111.