POLICE are hunting for clues from the public following an armed robbery at a Worcester store in which a gun was pointed at a shopworker.

Three raiders, one of whom was believed to be armed with a revolver, stole a substantial quantity of £1 and 50p coins after approaching a lone woman employee as she unlocked the premises of Lidl, in Newtown Road, and took her inside and forced her to open the safe.

The female employee was not injured in the incident, which happened at around 7am yesterday.

The men, who all wore balaclavas and hooded tops covering their faces, made their getaway in a dark car - possibly a Ford Escort - which was driven by a fourth man, who remained in the vehicle during the robbery.

The number plates were blacked out and police believe the car stopped somewhere in the city shortly after leaving the scene in order to expose the existing or other number plates before driving on.

"There would have been a considerable number of people on their way to work at that time all over the city, and someone may have seen a dark car stopped with one - or more - persons tinkering with the registration plates," said Det Sgt Andy Price, of South Worcestershire police.

"Although this activity may have looked reasonably innocent, we would ask members of the community to cast their minds back to see if they can recollect anything that will help with our enquiries."

Employees on the nearby Countrywide Trading Estate have reacted with dismay at the robbery.

Gavin Woods, who works at Heli-beds said: "You don't expect any kind of robbery at all but any armed robbery is more surprising because there's a weapon involved."

Darren Terry, a sales rep at Howden's Joinery, also on Countrywide Trading Estate, said: "I have always heard of a bit of criminal damage and vandalism around here, but never anything serious before.

Despite numerous attempts by the Evening News, Lidl could not be contacted for a comment.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious at the premises, or a dark car stationary or moving with four men in it, should contact Worcester police on 08457 444888, quoting 76S/221204.