CCTV images have been released today following an armed robbery in Kidderminster town centre.

It happened just before 10pm on Friday at the Nationwide Building Society in Vicar Street.

Two Securicor security guards were refilling the cash machine when they were threatened and forced to the floor by three masked men, one of whom was carrying what appeared to be a sawn off shotgun and one with what appeared to be a revolver.

The men escaped with “a substantial quantity of cash” in a dark coloured Ford Focus car, which had been left parked behind TJ Hughes and drove off towards Kidderminster ring road.

The three men were all white, and wearing ski-mask style balaclavas, hoodies and dark jeans. One was of large build.

Police have now traced a group of three men and one woman who approached the security guards immediately after the robbery.

They are still trying to trace three women who were walking together behind TJ Hughes just after 10pm when they were passed by one of the men.

These women were in their mid 40s to mid 50s. One of the women was wearing a black dress with what appears to be a white shawl over, one was wearing a dark skirt and dark jacket and one was wearing dark trousers and a dark jacket.

Police would also like to hear from anyone who was in the town centre that evening and saw anything suspicious, as well as anyone who saw the dark coloured Ford Focus leaving the area.

Police are looking into possible links to similar incidents in Shrewsbury on October 16 and Telford on September 5.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the Kidderminster robbery are asked to contact Kidderminster CID on 08457 444888 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.