Two female shop workers have been held up by knife-wielding robbers early this morning.

The shocked women were bundled aside by two men as they opened the Co-Op store, in Pattens Lane, Chatham, at around 6.15am.

Leaving one woman with a cut to her arm, the armed raiders escaped with about £200 that had been left in the shop overnight.

Both women and a third staff member were said to have been badly shaken up by the ordeal. The injured woman did not need to go to hospital for treatment.

A notice on the entrance to the shop said it was closed due to an incident and was expected to remain shut for the rest of the morning.

Insp Kevin Corden, from Kent Police, said: "They bundled the staff aside and took £200 cash.

"One of the staff has got a slight injury to her arm from the scuffle. They are not badly hurt, just shocked."

A spokesman for the Co-operative said: "There were no customers in the store at the time. The three members of staff who were working were very badly shaken but unhurt.

"CCTV footage has been given to the police who are investigating. As with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward."

Two men, aged 22 and 25 from Chatham, arrested on suspicion of robbery have been released on police bail until December 20.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to phone Kent Police on 01622 690690 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, 0800 555111.