BASEBALL bat wielding robbers stole thousands of pounds when they attacked staff refilling a cash machine at a Co-operative store in Malvern today.

The "terrifying" ordeal happened as the two cash delivery men were inside the Upper Howsell store near the till, refilling the cash machine, when they were attacked by two men brandishing the bats. A witness claims a third man was waiting outside during the robbery too.

One of the robbers was seen to be wearing a balaclava during the robbery, which closed the store for a couple of hours.

One member of staff said: "It happened so quick, but I was at the back. It was a matter of seconds and it was done.

"Two men came into the store near the till, where the security men were refilling the cash machine, and a third man was waiting outside the store.

"The fact it happened right in the store is awful. It was absolutely terrifying."

Police confirmed no serious injuries were caused during the ordeal, and the robbers got away in a light blue and silver Mazda saloon.

One of the suspects was described as a man around 5ft 10in, of average build and wearing a balaclava.

The incident happened around 11am today and police are appealing for anyone with information about the robbery, or the whereabouts of the car, to contact them quoting incident number 217 of 20th April.

Malvern resident Allan Gunsun, who volunteers in a British Red Cross charity store in the town, says CCTV cameras have been put up at the shop due to the threat of theft.

He said: "This seems to be happening more and more now.

"You have to so careful these days in Malvern, and it's a shame because it never used to be like this.

"It sounds like they knew what they were doing, and had probably been scoping it out for a while.

"Even working in a charity shop we have to be careful of theft and the like. We recently had CCTV cameras put up outside our shop, and it's a charity shop.

"The threat of being robbed is always there, and it's a real shame it's like that now."

A spokesman for the Co-operative said: "An incident took place at our Upper Howsell Road where two men entered the store and a quantity of cash was stolen.

"The store closed to allow police to carry out their investigations, re-opening around 1:30pm.

"We would like to apologise to our customers for any inconvenience caused while the store was temporarily closed and, as with any incident such as this, we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward to the Police”