MASKED armed robbers dressed as surgeons burst into the Chiswick High Road branch of Marks and Spencers late on Friday night (September 12) terrorising staff and late night customers.

At just after 8pm two men dressed in surgical masks and white gowns ran into the store brandishing handguns and demanding that staff hand over a box with the till takings.

They then rushed out in full view of a crowd of bewildered customers and made off in a white transit van, chased by police.

Eyewitness Peter Brown told the Times: "I was just drawing up at the back of the supermarket to do some shopping, when out of the blue two figures dressed in glowing white suits made out of paper came rushing past.

“They rushed down Chiswick common road to a where there was a white van, bundled into the back and reared off."

During the high speed police chase, the van then crashed into two other vehicles and the robbers then tried to escape on foot.

Three men were later arrested in connection with the incident, while the handguns and stolen cash were recovered.

A spokesman for Marks and Spencers said: "No customers were involved and no members of staff were hurt. Police have asked us not to give out any further information, but have confirmed that three men have been arrested and charged in connection with the events."

Anyone with information on the crime should call 020 8247 7931.