ROBBERS armed with a ‘handgun’ and a chisel who threatened shop staff were chased off by an off-duty police officer.

At around 9.10pm on Saturday, two hooded men with their faces covered by scarves entered the Co-op store in the Kennedy Parade of shops in Britwell.

The two men threatened members of staff at the shop, demanded cash and smashed the till with the chisel.

After putting some money in a plastic bag they were carrying, the two men then had a scuffle with the staff before running off and, in doing so, leading to the handle of the gun falling off and some cash falling out of the bag.

An off-duty police officer saw the men rushing out of the shop and getting onto two bikes to make their getaway.

He chased after them, but lost sight of them momentarily before he then saw one of the men being helped up from the road as if he had been hit by a vehicle in an area near to the Long Furlong Drive junction with Wentworth Avenue.

The robber made off on foot and the officer lost sight of him.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the robbery.

Investigating officer detective sergeant Peter Wall of Force CID, said: “This was shocking for the staff members who were threatened with what at first appeared to be a gun, but may have been an imitation firearm. It was fortunate no innocent member of the public was hurt during this incident.

“We would like to thank the off-duty officer from another force who bravely helped gain evidence for our investigation. Anyone who saw this incident or recognises the bikes from the description is asked to contact us.

“We’d also like to speak to anyone who saw a collision between a cyclist and a vehicle around that time and place and also we’d like to speak to the driver of the vehicle.”

The robbers are described as white men in their twenties.

One wore a black hoodie with a scarf over his face and the other wore a grey hoodie with a scarf over his face.

They were riding distinctive-looking bicycles. One was a gold coloured mountain bike and the other was a bright green BMX bike with red handlebars and red pedals.

If you have any information, call DS Wall on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two 33-year-old men from Slough were arrested on Sunday on suspicion of robbery in connection with Saturday's events. They have been bailed until December 31.