A gang of masked men forced shop workers to lie on the floor while they emptied their safe.

The raid took place at the Coop in Manor Parade, Salvington Road, Worthing, at about 10.10pm on Thursday.

Four men in balaclavas and grey hoodies ordered the two women and a man into an office at the back of the store and forced the supervisor to open the safe. They picked up a dark grey box file in the office and stuffed 1,750 inside.

Before they left they took two of the staff's mobile phones, a handbag and a wallet.

They headed off on foot in the direction of The Lamb Inn.

One of the men was described as white, about 6ft 3in, with blue eyes. He was wearing black leather gloves, a black balaclava and a grey hoodie.

Another was white, fat and wearing a grey hoodie covering his face.

No weapons are thought to have been used in the raid. Detectives believe the men may have been hanging around in the area before the raid.

Anyone with information is asked to call Worthing CID on 0845 6070999 .