This is the moment a terrified woman was forced to hit the floor at gunpoint during a bank raid.

She is left cowering on the floor as the masked man brandishes a handgun at bank staff.

He stuffs £1,500 in notes into a carrier bag and calmly walks out of the bank - but not before he is captured on film by security cameras at the Lloyds TSB, in The Broadway, Pitsea.

Minutes later the man disappeared into Pitsea town centre. Armed officers raced to the scene but were unable to catch him.

The robber was white, aged 20 to 30, between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins, and of medium build.

He wore a black hat and a number of layers of clothing, including gloves.

It was the second time the bank has been targeted in a year. Last April, a man armed with a sawn-off shotgun walked out with £10,000. A suspect is awaiting trial for that attack.

Anyone with information on the February 6 raid should contact Pitsea CID on 01268 584212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

(Right) Robber - the masked gunman flees with cash

(Left) Terror - a customer lies face down on the floor as the armed raider demands cash

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