THREE masked men stole money from a Kidderminster supermarket while staff were cashing up last night.

The robbery happened at Asda, in New Road, at about 10.30pm.

Three men with balaclavas and hoods covering their faces entered the store and grabbed a quantity of cash, mainly bags of coins, before running off.

A male member of staff who tried to stop them taking the money was punched in the face but was not seriously injured.

One of the offenders was about 5ft 9ins tall and of slim build. Another was about 6ft tall and of medium build. There is no description of the third.

It is thought they made off on foot across the car park towards Stourport Road.

The store was sealed off overnight for forensic investigation, but has reopened this morning.

Detective Sergeant Steve Cook of West Mercia Police said: “It is thought at least one of the men spoke with a European, possibly Polish, accent.

“They ran off carrying a quantity of cash, mainly in bagged coins of various denominations. They would not have been able to get very far on foot with any quantity of coins, so it is possible they got into a vehicle.

“Asda is on the outskirts of town and there would have been people around at that time of night.

“We are also appealing to any bank or store staff who notice people trying to exchange coins for notes, banking large quantities of coins, or buying items with large quantities of coins, to contact us.”

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident 761-s-181213, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.