SHOP workers have described the moment masked men tried to rob a bank in Arnold.
Three raiders burst into the HSBC branch, in Front Street, demanding cash and threatening staff.
Full details of the raid have not been released and it is not known if the men were armed or not.
But it is thought they left empty-handed before jumping into a Volkswagen Golf and driving off.
One witness, a shop worker, said they narrowly missed crashing into an oncoming bus as they sped off.
The witness, who did not want to be identified, said: "I was working and saw an elderly lady pointing in the direction of the bank.
"I looked outside and I saw these three guys leaving the bank.
"They ran out really quick. They were wearing black clothes and masks and were carrying bags.
"The car was parked just outside the bank. They got in and drove off quickly.
"It all happened very quickly. There were lots of people around.
"The police came down shortly afterwards. You hear about these things happening but you never expect to see it with your own eyes. It was shocking."
The raid happened at about 10.55am yesterday.
The bank was closed for the rest of the day.
Yesterday afternoon, a cordon remained in place around the front of the bank.
A dark blue G4S van was parked on the pavement at an angle outside the front.
A note was placed on the front door to the bank, which several passers-by stopped to read.
It said: "Dear customers, due to an earlier incident in this branch today, we regret we will not be reopening today.
"The branch will reopen at 10am tomorrow.
"Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused."
Other shop workers saw the aftermath of the incident.
Ruth Helliwell, of the Sue Ryder charity shop, next door to the bank, said: "The first I knew something had happened was when there were armed police outside.
"People were talking about it. It sounds like they didn't get away with anything."
A member of staff at another nearby shop, who did not want to be named, added: "We saw the police arrive. There were armed police as well.
"I didn't really see anything happen. But you could see it was bad by the number of police who were there."
Shopper Scott Jones, 37, said: "I go into the bank quite often. It's shocking that someone would do this. The staff must have been so scared. I just hope they catch the people who did it."
Police say they do not believe anything was taken. They are still studying CCTV image of the incident.
The car believed to have been used in the getaway was found abandoned in nearby Coppice Road.
Officers made extensive searches of the area to try to find the men.
Anyone with information is asked to call Notts Police on 101. Alternatively they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
