A STRING of customers left money on the counter at an unattended village shop moments after a robbery which left a shop assistant shaken, writes Julian Seva.

It is believed the woman was locked in a storeroom while cash and cigarettes were stolen by two thieves.

Police are seeking witnesses to the robbery, which happened when a man and woman entered Wythall Village Stores, Station Road, at around 8.40am on Sunday.

Several customers entered the shop afterwards and placed money on the counter for their newspapers.

The assistant was not hurt but was very frightened and emotionally distressed.

A white man and woman are now being sought in connection with the attack and police are also asking those who entered the shop afterwards to come forward.

In particular, a middle-aged balding man seen walking away with a newspaper may have vital information.

He was last seen in Spinney Close but his destination is not known.

Shop manager Mark Varden said: The shop assistant was very shaken at the time and obviously what concerns me is the after-effect of something like this.

All we are trying to do is offer a service but if something like this happens again it means we are less likely to be trading.

Mr Varden was grateful to those who actually left money on the counter for their newspapers.

That's the true depiction of the area, he said.

It's an honest area and lots of people support the shop and they don't deserve something like this.

Pc John Marsden, of Bromsgrove CID, said: It is a very serious crime and very distressing for the person there.

The male robber is described as white, six feet tall, about 28 years old, of medium build, with dark brown hair and facial hair and a thin face with a pale complexion.

He had a local accent and was wearing a dark blue "lumber jack" hat with flaps and a peak at the front.

He also wore a dark winter knee length coat.

His female accomplice is described as being in her late teens or early 20s, of small build, approximately size 8, about 5ft 4ins tall, with straight, coloured hair and light, fine eyebrows.

She was wearing mascara, eyeliner and face powder and appeared quite pretty.

She had a local accent and wore trousers and a grey scarf over her head and mouth.

Anyone with information can call DC Kate Terris, of Bromsgrove CID, on 584888.