TWO shop workers at the Newent branch of the Co-op had a terrifying experience, working late on Sunday evening, when they were attacked by masked intruders.

The three intruders wearing balaclavas smashed their way into the building with crowbars at around 9.40pm, surprising two workers who were topping up the shelves ready for Monday morning.

The night supervisor barricaded himself in the manager’s office while a female worker fled to safety through the fire escape to take refuge in the nearby Red Lion pub.

Barman Liam Rogers, who was on duty at the time, said: “The woman came into the pub just before 10 o’clock. She was very distressed by the incident but I did my best to calm her down and called the police.

“I then accompanied her back to the store to wait with her for the police to arrive which they did within six to eight minutes after I phoned.

“I remained at the site until the woman’s husband and son arrived and then I went back to the pub.”

By the time the police arrived the two intruders had fled empty handed in a silver Vauxhall Corsa registered to a Worcestershire address.

The car was later found abandoned and burned out.

Anyone with information should contact Gloucestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 424 of February 28.