POLICE are hunting two masked raiders who bundled five staff into a back office at a Torquay travel agency in a terrifying attempted robbery.

The pair, wearing crash helmets, forced their way into the Thomas Cook store in Union Street at 8.50am yesterday and attempted to steal cash from the branch.

Eye witnesses described seeing two 'very shifty' people, coming round the corner from Burtons clothes store minutes before the raid.

Detectives investigating the raid say they will do 'everything in our power to track these men down and bring them to justice'.

They are also hunting a getaway driver who was behind the wheel of a red Peugeot 206 who they believe was waiting for the raiders.

One staff member from a nearby store just doors away from the raid, who did not wish to be named, said: "I saw them running down past the Camden Market.

"Lots of people were looking towards them.

"I think I saw one of them with a bag tucked up under his arm and they were running quickly. They looked young from their build."

Investigators believe the bag may be square shaped and made from paper, similar to one from a designer clothes boutique, with white writing on it, and are keen to track it down.

Police and ambulance crews arrived on the scene within minutes.

Officers interviewed shaken staff who were treated for shock by ambulance crews at the scene after their ordeal.

A Thomas Cook spokeswoman said no employees involved in the incident were hurt, adding robberies are 'thankfully very rare' and that all security breaches are taken very seriously.

There were also tearful re-unions with anxious family members who waited to hear what had happened to their loved ones.

A PCSO stood guard outside the store while officers from Torquay CID conducted initial inquiries to establish exactly what had happened.

Another nearby shop worker said: "It is the first time I have known of anything like this in the three and a half years I have been here."

Detective Sergeant Chris Yarwood said staff had been left 'frightened and shocked' by the mornings events.

"The robbers forced their way into the store, pushing staff and keeping staff at the rear of the building while they searched the kiosk area for cash.

"They haven't got away with anything and no weapon was seen.

"They have tried to steal money but security measures in the store have prevented them from doing so."

DS Yarwood added: "This was a distressing incident and anyone who can help us to find these two men we want to hear from them.

"This is an unusual incident in Torquay. The excellent security measures at Thomas Cook have helped to frustrate these thieves.

"I would like to hear from anyone who saw the car. We believe the vehicle was waiting for them and there was a driver. We believe it went off in the direction of Melville Street towards Warren Road."

He said the sex of the suspects could not be established yet and that they were reviewing CCTV of the area.

It is understood the raiders fled in the direction of the bottom of Torquay town centre, emerging on Abbey Road near the cinema before getting into the small red car, possibly a Peugeot 206, to make their getaway.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 08452 777444 quoting police ref FT/10/1593 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.