This is the terrifying moment two masked raiders stormed a Gravesend Post Office - and repeatedly hit a woman with a hammer.

The pair burst into the Valley Drive store in the middle of the afternoon before violently attacking her by smashing the weapon on her head.

Miraculously, the female staff member - named locally as Pauline - escaped serious injury despite being hit with the claw hammer several times.

The balaclava-clad raiders escaped empty handed after the botched raid on the Valley Parade Sub Post Office.

Now the harrowing footage has emerged as detectives continue to hunt the culprits, with the investigation featuring on BBC Crimewatch last night.

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The duo burst into the store, armed with the claw hammer and a sledgehammer at 2.15pm on Tuesday, July 2.

A third masked man appears on the CCTV a few seconds later guarding the door.

One of the raiders leaps over the counter, grabbing the female member of staff.

The video shows a hand clasp her neck before she is smashed twice on the head with the claw hammer.

She is then violently shoved behind the counter, smacking her head as she falls to the ground.

The robber attempts to get to the shop's till but fails, instead dropping the heavy object onto the woman's head.

She was taken to hospital, but her injuries were not thought to be serious.

The offenders were seen arriving at the Post Office in a black stolen Audi A3 – having earlier been involved in an accident in Crayford at 9.15am.

It was stolen during a burglary overnight on June 25 and 26 from a house in Sidcup.

After it was stolen, the car was fitted with cloned number plates.

After the robbery the offenders abandoned the car in nearby Bourne Road.

A witness saw two men getting into another black car parked there.

Two ambulances attended and the area, including the neighbouring Nicholson & Keep Pharmacy, was sealed off.

Video: Harrowing footage of the moment Post Office raiders struck

The raid comes less than a year after another employee at the Post Office was robbed of her handbag as she got into her car parked in Hillside Avenue.

Anyone with information about the raid is asked to phone police on 01474 330508.