Two armed robbers who pointed a gun at a toddler in a bungled raid have been caught on camera.

The masked men barged into the post office in Tulse Hill, close to Tulse Hill rail station, on Friday at 10.15am, brandishing handguns and demanding cash from two women working there.

One of the robbers then poured petrol over the post office counter and set it on fire.

Meanwhile, his accomplice kept guard at the door, threatening people inside the shop with his gun- including a woman and a two-year-old child.

But the shop’s staff triggered an alarm and the robbers fled empty-handed towards the Deronda Estate. Workers put out the fire shortly afterwards. No one was injured in the incident.

Police are looking for two men, aged about 25 years old. One man was seen wearing a high-visibility builder’s jacket and both men were carrying black bags.

Detective Inspector Jason Prins, from Barnes Flying Squad said: "This was a particularly callous attack and were it not for the presence of mind of the staff, along with their courage in extinguishing a raging fire, this incident could easily have resulted in fatalities."

Anyone with information should call 020 7230 8666 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.