Shocking CCTV footage has been released that shows a corner shop worker being shot in the face with a pellet gun during a robbery.

He now faces a battle to save his sight.

The 44-year-old man, Mr Niyas Hydrofe, was treated for his injuries at a hospital but needs surgery to remove ball bearing-like pellets from his eyes after the shooting in Brixton, south London.

This is one of several CCTV images that show a shockingly violent robbery carried out by two men on a shop in Brixton, south London. One of the suspects can be seen pointing a gun in the top left corner of the image

This image shows a man dressed in a red hooded top clearly pointing a small firearm at the shopkeeper

In this image, one of several released by the Metropolitan Police, the shopkeeper can be seen staggering backwards as a second suspect reaches for the till

The attack lasted mere seconds, with the suspects managing to make off with the till after shooting the shop worker

He was shot with what police believe to be a high-powered pellet gun by one of two men who entered his store and stole the cash register before running off.

Mr Hydrofe said of his ordeal: 'These two black guys came in and suddenly they had a hand gun. Then all at one time there were were so many small balls coming at my eyes and face.

Doctors have told me that I am lucky to have my eye still. After they fired, they took the till with all the money.

'My head hurt and there was blood everywhere coming out of my face. I held my head and spoke and called to my friend.

'I was talking to my friend on the phone when they came in and so he was on the line while he as happening. I picked up the phone and he just said, 'What happened? What happened?!'

'And then he called the ambulance for me. At the moment I can see a little bit but I can't see in the shade.

'Doctors have said that in three weeks it might get better but I have an appointment tomorrow to see what might happen. It was very fast and very scary - I didn't know what as happening at the time. It was awful.

'There's a pellet still lodged in my eye. The doctors have said that maybe it is better to leave it there.

'I just say to people - come forward if you are a witness.'

These images show the moment the two suspects entered the south London shop, dressed in black and red hooded tops. The robbery happened on 8.35pm on Sunday October 25 at the Phambra Foodstore

The Metropolitan Police have released CCTV in a bid to trace the 'dangerous, violent' men.

Detective Constable Ben Turner, of the Met's Flying Squad, said: 'This was a vicious attack that could have left a man blinded. We desperately want to find the men responsible for this crime.

'They used gratuitous violence to carry out this robbery and are clearly dangerous.

'I would ask anyone with information to come forward and help us catch these dangerous, violent men.'

The robbery happened on 8.35pm on Sunday October 25 at the Phambra Foodstore in Lyham Road, Brixton, and the offenders ran off towards Thornbury Road.

Both are described as being in their 20s and of medium build.