A GANG of armed robbers made off with jewellery estimated to be worth more than a million pounds from an exclusive store in Scotland's capital.

Police said that three men carrying blades robbed the store in Edinburgh city centre on Friday at around 11.30am. Staff were threatened with the knives during the raid on Hamilton and Inches in George Street. The three men made their escape in a white BMW car, driven by a fourth man, which was seen driving east along George Street, down Howe Street and along Heriot Row.

The vehicle was abandoned in Gloucester Lane and police said the men got into a dark-coloured car that was last seen heading towards Stockbridge. The white BMW is being forensically examined by officers. A full inventory of the stolen items is currently being carried out, but it is estimated that more than £1m worth of goods were swiped.

Detective Inspector Craig Finnie said workers at the jewellers were left shaken, adding: "Staff were left extremely shaken and a major investigation is under way to trace those responsible. While we remain keen to speak with witnesses who were in the George Street area at the time of the robbery, we also wish to trace anyone who remembers seeing both getaway vehicles in the Gloucester Lane area before or after the crime was committed."