AN ELDERLY shop assistant was left shaken after masked robbers snatched cash, cigarettes and telephone cards from a town convenience store.

Armed

Police are now appealing for witnesses after three armed men, one carrying a machete raided The Spar in Oakland Avenue in the early hours of the morning.

The lone male assistant was un-injured in the raid which happened between 5.30am and 6am on Wednesday, November, 19.

The masked raiders then sped off in a a gold vehicle, described as an old-style Ford Mondeo with a boot, towards the A38, via Princes Avenue.

More than 10 police officers from Worcester and Droitwich raced to the scene and immediately cordoned off the area.

Shortly afterwards, the vehicle was seen heading towards Hanbury. A similar vehicle was seen before the raid parked in Adrian Close.

Shaken

The Spar manager, who refused to be named said on Friday the shop assistant, who is actually retired, was still badly shaken, but was bearing up well.

He added: "The three masked men struck and locked the shop assistant in the shed, before they escaped with the cigarettes, telephone cards and cash. It's dreadful that something like this can happen in such a nice area but the police are now appealing for witnesses."

Press officer for West Mercia Police, Richard Bull said: "We are particularly interested in speaking to one newspaper delivery driver who, we believe, was in the area at the time and may have seen something."

Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the incident or anything suspicious before or after the robbery.

Anyone with information is urged to call 08457 444 888, quoting 39C/191103.