ARMED robbers have made off with tens of thousands of pounds after holding security guards at gun point in Gillingham.

Kent Police are appealing for witnesses after the armed robbery, which took place just after midnight on Tuesday morning.

A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Kent Police received reports of an armed robbery in a branch of Nationwide Building Society in Watling Street.

"Guards from a Securicor van had just started to deliver cash to the Nationwide Building Society when they were challenged by two men one of whom carried a firearm."

The robbers assaulted one of the guards while the other one was forced to open the safe.

The two offenders drove away with a large amount of money in cash in a Volvo with an unusual registration number - M6 OWL. A third man had driven the car to the scene of the robbery.

The car was later recovered after being burnt out in Nelson Terrace, Luton. It is believed the car had been driven through Watling Street past Medway Fire Station, through a residential area and down Ash Tree Lane to get to Luton.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen something or people who have any information to contact 01634 884071. People can also call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on 0800 555 111.