THREE masked raiders brandishing sawn-off shotguns burst into the wages office of Tesco in Oakenshaw today (Tuesday) and made off with cash, writes Julian Seva.

Staff at the Coldfield Drive supermarket were uninjured despite the gang spraying a noxious substance.

But police did say staff had been left shocked and shaken by the raid which happened at 12.20pm.

It has not been disclosed how much cash the gang, who were clad in boiler suits, fled with.

The robbers sped off in a small white Vauxhall van which was found burnt out five minutes later in Headless Cross.

The speed of the incident surprised police who were on the scene within a minute of the alarm being raised but the gang had fled.

It is thought the robbers used a back entrance at the store.

Sgt Andy Chinn of Redditch Police said: We know some sort of noxious substance was sprayed but we don't know what it is yet and we know there was one gun but that was not discharged.

By the time we arrived they had disappeared and we found the car still burning just five minutes later.

Sgt Chinn added: Although no-one was injured it is a very serious crime which carries a potential life sentence.

Det Insp Mick O'Donnell, of Redditch CID said: This was a very serious offence at a busy store during which members of staff were subjected to a terrifying ordeal.

The offenders are believed to have been in possession of a firearm and Redditch police are keen to hear from anyone who saw the men in the area of the Tesco's store or in the small white Vauxhall van.

The van was set on fire at the rear of the shops in the Headless Cross area of Redditch and again someone may have seen suspicious activity at that location.

House to house enquiries are now being made in the area the car was dumped and neighbouring police forces alerted.

The supermarket is still open.

Anyone with information is asked to call Redditch CID on 584888 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.