Masked raiders burst into a shop in Bilston and clubbed a 63-year-old man over the head before stealing cash from the till.

Two robbers targeted carpet and rug store Dusty Distribution Ltd in Broad Lanes as the man was locking up.

Manager Reg Ashwin, who has run the store for more than 40 years, said one of the robbers hit his colleague with a wooden cosh before stealing between £300 and £400 from the till. The men then escaped in a waiting blue car.

Mr Ashwin said the victim was today recovering at home after treatment at new Cross Hospital for a cut.

He said: “They had hoods on and scarves over their faces, you could just see their eyes. It must have been terrifying for him.”

Dc Sean Brennan, from Wednesfield police station, appealed for witnesses, adding: “This is a busy cut-through from Coseley and Ettingshall to Bilston. Many people would be passing by at this time and may have seen the offenders arrive or leave the premises.”