MASKED robbers, one brandishing what is believed to be a gun, have made away with a large amount of mens aftershave after striking in Malvern.

Three masked men broke into the Boots store, in Roman Way last night with one carrying what is believed to be a handgun and were confronted by a security staff member.

No one was hurt but other staff members were also in the shop during the incident which happened at around 9.45pm on Tuesday, October 2.

The men who were wearing balaclavas drove off in what is described as a dark hatch-back car with alloy wheels.

One was 5ft 11ins tall, wearing a black hoodied top with a grey top down the back of the head, grey T-shirt, dark jeans with a belt and Nike grey trainers.

Another was wearing a dark jacket possibly with yellow sleeves and shoulders, dark track-suit bottoms with broad and narrow stripes and Nike trainers, while a third man wore a dark jacket with a hood hanging out of the back and similar dark track-suit bottoms.

Police officers have also issued a second description of three men seen acting suspiciously for 20 minutes in nearby Morrisons at around 3.30pm.

Detective Sergeant Ray Williams, who is leading the investigation, said they were not ruling out the possibility that the two groups of men were the same people.

The men in Morrisons were all of Asian or Middle-Eastern origin and in their 20s.

One was of medium build, 5ft 3ins to 5ft 4ins tall and wearing a white T-shirt, denim jacket and blue jeans.

Another was slim, 5ft 6ins to 5ft 7ins tall, wearing a pink and white stripe shirt and jeans and a third was very slim, 5ft 7ins tall and wearing a long-sleeved top and blue jeans.

Police believe that the stolen fragrances - including Burberry, Gucci, Allure, Intimately Beckham, Aqua, Ted Baker, Cool, Joop, Ferreira, Euphoria, Lacoste and Polo - may be offered for re-sale on the run-in to Christmas.

They have urged anyone with information about the robbery, either group of men or people offered any of the cosmetics to contact officers on 08457 444 888, quoting 635S/021007.

Information can also be given - anonymously - to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.