Staff at a motorcycle shop were tied up and threatened with a knife during a terrifying robbery, a court heard.

Shop assistants Phil Arnold and Alex Kingsley were bound together at K&S Racing in Sittingbourne and a delivery man was also held captive.

The four raiders fled in a transit van with seven motorcycles worth a total of around £25,000 before a mechanic at the firm raised the alarm.

But they did not get far as police gave chase and arrested them just outside Maidstone.

On trial is a 17-year-old, from south London, who denies robbery and possessing a proscribed weapon – a CS gas canister – claiming he was acting under duress.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Arnold and Mr Kingsley were working in the shop in Milton Road on the morning of October 14 last year when the gang burst in.

Allister Walker, prosecuting, said all of them wore disguises, one having the appearance of a gas mask. One brandished a 10in long kitchen knife and threatened to cut the victims.

The trial continues.