A TERRIFIED restaurant worker was punched, kicked and threatened with a knife during a £20,000 raid on a Hampshire restaurant.

Four balaclava clad robbers stormed into Banana Wharf as a staff member was leaving the building at closing time.

She was bundled in to a kitchen and held there while the three other men went upstairs and confronted the 28-year-old assistant manager.

They ordered him to open the safe and he only complied after being set upon and threatened with a knife.

After taking £20,000 in cash, they fled from the restaurant through the fire exit and are thought to have escaped in a vehicle.

The cash that they took was contained in four pouch style wallets made of a mesh type material. One had Sunday written on it another Monday, another float and the third was blank.

Detectives have launched an appeal for witnesses to the incident, which left the victims with minor injuries and suffering from shock.

It is thought the men may have used a white five door Land Rover or Range Rover style vehicle and police are also interested in hearing from anyone who saw this in the area.

The fire exit of the restaurant opens on to a courtyard area which leads to Channel Way near Endeavour Court and Alcantara Crescent.

Anyone with information about the raid, at around 11pm on Monday, should contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.