TWO security guards were robbed at gunpoint as they delivered cash to a building society.

The staff, employees of Group 4 Securicor, were filling the cashpoint of the Nationwide building society in Commercial Road, Paddock Wood, near Tunbridge Wells, at about 10.50pm on Wedneday night when a man clad in a balaclava appeared and threatened them with a gun.

The robber demanded they hand over the money they were loading into the machine, and ran off to the car park opposite where he got into a waiting car, possibly driven by a second person.

The car, which was dark in colour and possibly a BMW or Rover, sped off along Maidstone Road.

Neither guard was hurt and the gun was not fired, but a number of boxes of money were taken. The scene was still sealed off this morning.

The suspect was wearing a balaclava, dark-coloured top and lighter coloured, beige or khaki, trousers.

Det Insp Bert Short said: "We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the incident, saw the car leaving the area or saw anything suspicious at around the time the robbery happened.

"In particular we are appealing for information about the boxes the money was stored in as they may have been discarded after the robbery."

The incident is not being linked to any other at the moment. Police are not releasing details about the amount of cash stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 01732 370217 or Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.