The men, who were armed, entered the shop and ordered an assistant who was on duty to hand over the money in the till.

The two men left the scene in a stolen car driven by another man. The vehicle which is believed to have been used in the hold-up was found later burnt in Zebbug.

Magistrate Michael Mallia held an on-site inquiry and appointed various experts to assist him in the case.

The Rabat district police and officers from the CID are carrying out investigations into the case.

No-one was injured in the robbery.