A female shop manager was knocked to the ground by scratchard raiders armed with a crowbar early today.

The 63-year-old was targeted by two balaclava-clad men who raided a Dartford Co-Op store.

The pair escaped the Henderson Drive shop with £100 of scratchcards, champagne and two tills containing about £270.

Police later found a trail of losing scratchcards near the shop.

The men, one of whom was wearing a high-visibility jacket with his face covered and armed with a crowbar, are both described as having dark-tanned skin.

One of them knocked over the store manager during the raid. She is described as having been left "very shaken" by her ordeal at around 6.15am.

The offenders put the tills and scratchcards in a large white or grey bag and escaped through the back of the shop.

Police found scratchcards scattered along Joyce Green Lane and Austen Gardens. Officers believe the offenders might have been scratching and discarding them as they left the store.

DC Angela Costin said: "This was a violent burglary in which a significant amount of goods were taken. We would urge anyone with any information or who may have witnessed anything to come forward.

"If anyone saw two men wearing or holding balaclavas walking along Joyce Green Lane and Austen Gardens scratching and throwing the cards away, it is an unusual sight and we would urge them to get in touch."

Witnesses are urged to phone Kent Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.