by Rachel Hovenden, Alan Watkins and Rob Hayes

A woman had her face slashed with a knife in one of two armed robberies in Gravesend in the space of just a few days.

She was injured when raiders – wearing pillow cases with eye-holes cut out – struck at Tesco Express in Valley Drive on Saturday.

Witnesses reported that a man came through the back door of the shop at about 6.25pm and attacked the woman.

Two men aged 20 and 27 and a boy of 15 were later arrested on suspicion of robbery and have been released on bail while inquiries continue. The store was shut for several hours.

A Tesco spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the member of staff who was caught up in the incident. We would like to appeal for any witnesses to come forward."

Despite the drama, it went largely unnoticed by those living and working nearby.

A 63-year-old woman, who lives close to the store, said: "I looked out of my window and all I could see was that the shop was shut and two police cars were in the car park."

On Monday, just over a mile away, another shop was targeted.

Police were called at 11.42am to reports that two masked men were trying to rob the Livingstone Road Stores off Valley Drive, Gravesend.

It is thought they were wearing balaclavas. One is alleged to have threatened a member of staff and demanded money.

They stole cash before running out of the shop, possibly in the direction of the Kings Farm area.

The postal counter at the back of the store – which is covered by CCTV cameras – escaped the attack but remained closed for the rest of the day.

The shop was briefly taped off while forensic staff examined the premises. The store reopened after lunch with two part-time staff called in.

One of the men was wearing a dark blue coat with a horizontal white stripe across the chest and dark-coloured trousers and trainers. He was about 6ft 2in. The other man wore a light grey jacket and jeans.

• Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.