AN ELDERLY staff member has been left severely traumatised after masked gunmen burst into a village off-licence and made off with more than £1,000 in cash.

The pensioner, who is in her 70s, was preparing to lock up Threshers in Station Road, Longfield, for the night when she and a male colleague were subjected to a terrifying ordeal. The robbers, disguised in balaclavas and stockings, targeted the store just before 10pm on Sunday.

One pointed a small handgun to the head of the male assistant and waved it in the face of the elderly victim. The hooded robber then threatened to pull the trigger unless cash from the safe was handed over.

The pair fled with their £1,000 haul in a white Vauxhall Astra. The car was driven up Station Road towards Main Road by a third man.

Det Con Nick Brown said: "The female victim was threatened continuously and the ordeal has had quite a traumatic effect on her. She's badly shaken and, if the telephone rings, she jumps out of her skin. Naturally, staff are now planning to take steps to improve security."

The robbers were both white and in their early 20s. One was blond, slim and wore black clothing. The other wore a green Adidas sweatshirt and blue tracksuit bottoms with a green stripe.

People using Longfield Railway Station or pubs in the village may have witnessed the car as it sped off. Anyone who has information is asked to call Det Con Brown on 01322 283154 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.