AXE-WIELDING thugs carried out an armed raid on a Co-op in Heybridge last night.

Three men armed with an axe and a crowbar went into the shop in Lawling Avenue at about 8pm.

They threatened staff before fleeing with money and cigarettes.

Luckily no one was injured.

A police spokesman said: "We were contacted at around 8pm on Wednesday following reports of an armed robbery at Co-op in Lawling Avenue, Heybridge.

"Officers attended, arriving on scene quickly.

"It was reported that three men entered the store and threatened staff. A quantity of cash and cigarettes were taken.

"One man was armed with a crowbar and another, an axe.

"No one was injured.

"We are appealing to anyone in the area at the time who may have seen the incident, or who may have captured anything suspicious on dash cam footage, to contact us on 101 quoting crime reference 42/220670/21."

No one at the shop or East of England Co-op was available for comment.

It is second Heybridge Co-op to be hit in just over a month.

A man wearing a balaclava and armed with an axe robbed the Wood Road store on September 1.

He forced open a door which hit a woman, causing a minor injury.

The robber escaped with a quantity of cash.

He was described as white, aged about 55, with bags under his eyes."

Information about both raids can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.