Robbers wielding a shotgun and a baseball bat have escaped with a haul of cash after raiding a mid Essex post office.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the theft, which happened at about 5.25pm last night at the post office in Panfield Lane, Braintree.

An Essex Police spokesman said two men wearing black woollen face masks entered the store. One carried a single-barrelled shotgun and the other was armed with a baseball bat.

The men threatened the 41-year-old proprietor and demanded that she opened the post office section of the shop.

At first she refused, but relented after one of the men tried to smash the screen surrounding the post office section with the baseball bat. The till was opened and the men took a quantity of bank notes.

The two robbers made their escape in a blue vehicle being driven by an accomplice.

Police in Braintree are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area at the time to contact them.

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Braintree police on 01376 551312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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