Police have cordoned off Iceland supermarket in New Addington following an attempted armed robbery this morning.

The incident is believed to have happened shortly before 9am, an hour after the store on Central Parade opened.

Emergency services were called to the scene, but no-one is believed to have been hurt.

A police spokesman said: "Police were called at approximately 9.00am to a supermarket on Central Parade following reports of an attempted armed robbery.

"Officers including firearms officers attended and the suspect is believed to have fled prior to the police arrival.

"Officers remain on the scene and the Flying Squad have been informed."

Tracy Churchill, 46, works at Burgess Boys Pet Care Centre on Central Parade.

She said: "Customers have come in and said there was an armed robbery. We got here at 8.30am and within 20 minutes there was a massive crowd outside.

"I think the man ran off, I can't believe he is still in there. I saw armed police and a police dog enter the store and the shop is now cordoned off."

A second eyewitness who did not want to be named said: "I got off the bus and was going to do my shopping at Iceland, but I could see loads of people leaving the store.

"I didn't think anything of it, but as I got closer I saw a police car with dogs go past me.

"I saw there was another policeman standing by the shop's shutter which was pulled down and a policeman was leaving the store carrying one of those heavy guns."

Did you see what happened? Contact the newsdesk on 0208 722 6353