TWO hooded robbers forced terrified staff to hand over more than £1,000 in cash during a daylight raid on a High Street travel agent.

Going Places in Dartford was hit for the second time in less than three months on Saturday when two men burst in carrying what was believed to be a gun.

The duo made a series of demands before a young female employee surrendered bundles of mixed currency stashed in a safe and drawer.

After stuffing the haul into a bag, the robbers fled down Bulls Head Yard alleyway as stunned shoppers and market traders looked on. But they were forced to drop some of the cash because it was sprayed with red dye.

It is not known where they went next and detectives are analysing town centre CCTV footage for clues. Police and forensic experts sealed off the alleyway and closed the store shortly after 4pm to conduct a fingertip search and speak to traumatised staff.

Det Sgt Janine Chaney revealed that the ordeal had left staff distressed and felt the use of the red dye could help officers crack the case. She added: "This could be quite significant. If people saw someone in a toilet cleaning off what looked like red dye, I would ask them to contact us."

Market traders reported seeing the duo loitering around the pedestrianised area of the town centre for some time before the raid.

One of the robbers was black, in his mid-20s and 5ft 6in tall. He was clean shaven, had short black hair and blood-shot eyes. He wore dark baggy clothing with a hooded top.

The other, also black, was in his early 20s, 6ft tall and wore a dark-coloured hooded top and a black scarf to mask his identity.

Anyone with information should call North Kent Police on 01322 283154 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.