Police have released the CCTV images of three people they want to speak to over a violent shop robbery.

Three men armed with a hammer punched and threatened an elderly shopkeeper in the Boxing Day raid at the Mace store in Sidney Street, Folkestone.

The raid happened about 6.45am and alcohol, money and cigarettes were stolen from the store.

Owner Selvarajah Nimalan said: "They went to the other Mace shop in Canterbury Road first, at about 6.30am. They asked a member of staff for alcohol but we only serve it after 8am.

“They hung around for a couple of minutes, then they went. Ten minutes later they drove to Ingrid Road close to the second Mace store in Sidney Street.

“They came in with a hammer and a sack and filled it with spirits and took the till’s money.”

The shopkeeper in the Sidney Street store was a man in his 70s, Mr Nimalan said, who was punched in the face and threatened.

“They said ‘give me the money’ and punched him in the face."

The store only opened at the start of December and replaced a fish and chip takeaway that had occupied the premises for more than a decade.

Detectives have previously appealed for information and are now keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the men in the CCTV image.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01843 222289 quoting ZY/046958/16, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.