RESIDENTS in Keelby have spoken of their shock after a suspected armed robbery at the village's Spar shop.

Lincolnshire Police has launched an investigation after two offenders threatened workers and stole an unspecified amount of cash from the St Martin's Place store at 9pm on Sunday. It is believed a gun may have been involved, although police have not officially confirmed that.

The thieves, who were both wearing dark clothes and balaclavas, are thought to have left the scene in a vehicle, accompanied by a third individual.

A spokesman for the force confirmed that no one was hurt in the incident and urged anyone with any information to come forward.

He said: "Police are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone who saw any suspicious activity or cars in the area, to get in touch as soon as possible."

It is the second time in recent years that the shop has been targeted, after an armed robbery at the store in 2008 during which two shop assistants were threatened with an axe and a screwdriver.

Local residents who had gathered at the scene yesterday spoke of their shock at the latest robbery, saying that it was something they normally only saw in Hollywood blockbusters, and not in quiet villages like Keelby.

An elderly resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's terrible and I hope whoever was working in the shop is OK.

"It has been targeted in the past and I think it is awful – I hope they catch whoever did it."

Another added: "Keelby is such a quiet place and you don't expect something like this to happen here.

"It's very unexpected and something that you would only usually expect to see in a Hollywood film – it is shocking."

David Irons, owner of the Mace village store, which sits opposite the Spar shop, said: "We all know the staff at the shop personally, and our hearts go out to them after what they have gone through.

"To think that something like that could happen in such a small, quiet village like Keelby has come as a shock to everybody."

PCSO Neil Harrison, of the Caistor Neighbourhood Policing Team – which covers Keelby – said that residents should not be overly concerned by the incident.

Speaking to the Telegraph outside the store as scenes of crime officers combed the area for evidence, he said: "The shop is in the centre of the village and, with it being cordoned off and people unable to get through, it has caused a bit of interest among residents.

"It is a close-knit community in Keelby and a few residents have been coming up to me asking how the staff are.

"But people should not be unduly worried by what has happened – if they do have any concerns, I would urge them to speak to us as their local neighbourhood policing team."

A spokesperson for Spar said: "The safety of our staff and customers is paramount to us and we are co-operating with police to assist in their investigations."

Can you help?

Anyone with any information is urged to contact Lincolnshire Police on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.