CO-OP bosses are supporting "distressed" staff after an armed raid at a store in Heybridge.

A trio armed with an axe and crowbar raided the shop in Lawling Avenue at about 8pm on Wednesday.

They threatened staff before escaping with cash and cigarettes.

Luckily no one was injured.

A spokesman for the East of England Co-op, said: “I can confirm that an armed robbery took place at our store on Lawling Avenue, Maldon on Wednesday evening.

“We take protecting our local businesses, communities, colleagues and customers very seriously, and incidents like these are never acceptable.

“We’ve invested heavily in our security services and work closely with police forces, the local authorities and other agencies to share intelligence and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.

“We are supporting our colleagues involved in this distressing incident and would urge anyone with any information to contact Essex police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.”

A police spokesman said officers were quick to arrive at the scene.

A spokesman said: "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."

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or has dash cam footage to contact them on 101 quoting crime reference 42/220670/21.

The incident was the second Heybridge Co-op to be targeted in just over a month.

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