MASKED robbers snatched cash, telephone cards and cigarettes when they struck at a convenience store in Droitwich today.

Two armed men - believed to be carrying knives - struck at the Spar Shop, in Oakland Avenue, between 5.30am and 6am.

The raiders, who were wearing masks and scarves, threatened the shop owner, grabbed what they could from behind the till and ran out of the shop before racing to a car and speeding off towards the A38.

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

Police said the robbers made their getaway in a gold-coloured old model Ford Mondeo and travelled via Prince's Avenue, towards Hanbury.

The owner was not harmed during the incident.

Detectives are now examining CCTV footage from the store and appealing for witnesses to the robbery to come forward, including anyone who may have seen the raiders' vehicle.

"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," said Richard Bull, Press officer for West Mercia police.

He added that the police are currently conducting house-to-house inquiries to see if anyone saw or heard anything suspicious.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact the police on 08457 444 888.

Detectives were continuing to examine the scene of the crime as the Evening News went to print.