A GANG of men raided a newly opened store and brutally attacked a member of staff before stealing cash, police revealed today.

The thugs burst into the Tesco Express store in Silverdale Road at around 11pm on Thursday night.

Once inside, they assaulted an employee and stole a sum of cash before escaping on foot along Maiden Erlegh Drive.

It is believed the men, who were described as wearing dark clothing, were then picked up by a vehicle near Wokingham Road.

Officers rushed to the scene and the employee was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment to his injuries.

A police spokesman confirmed the staff member has since been released from hospital, adding: "At approximately 11pm, four men entered Tesco Express on Silverdale Road.

"They assaulted a member of staff and stole a quantity of cash."

The store sits on the site which used to be the Maiden Over pub.

Scores of residents were left furious when Wokingham Borough Council gave the supermarket chain planning permission to convert the building into a shop last year.

After months of building work the store finally opened earlier this month.

Officers continued to probe the robbery today and anyone with information should call Thames Valley Police on 101.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Steven Martin from Reading Force CID, added: “We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the robbery, or to anyone in the Wokingham Road or Maiden Earley Drive area who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour or vehicles following the incident.

“If you have any information which may assist with the investigation, please call Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting incident reference 43170144281.”