Two masked men, one wielding a gun, fled with hundreds in cash after threatening shopkeepers.

It is believed the two robbers lay in wait outside Nisa store in Swanscombe, until all customers had left.

They then struck at the shop in Milton Street at around 6.45pm Tuesday.

The pair demanded cash from the 47-year-old shopkeeper, who remained calm as he stared down the barrel of a gun pointed at him.

But, as the money was being handed over, the shopkeeper’s wife came downstairs and ran out into the street screaming for help.

Around £300 was loaded into a black sports bag by the robbers, who then made off on foot.

Detective Sergeant Cameron Riley from North Kent Police Station is leading the investigation .

He said: “We think they must have been waiting outside the shop for it to empty of customers so someone may have seen them then. They may also have been witnessed running from the scene, as it was not late and people would have been out and about.”

Anyone with information should call Det Sgt Riley on 01474 366092 or Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.