A newsagent has told of the terrifying moment she was attacked by a robber.

Mrs Mann, who helps run the family business Bungalow Stores, Halstead Road, Eight Ash Green, was working at about 8.30pm on Friday evening when the man entered the shop.

"He asked me for some cigarette papers, he put 30p on the counter. I opened the till to give him the change and he just pushed me back."

The man then took all the coins from the till, as Mrs Mann tried to wrestle with him.

Her husband ran after the robber, but was unable to find him. Mrs Mann, who is aged in her forties, was left extremely shaken by the attack.

Essex Police describe the man as white, aged in his early 20s, wearing a black cap with red lettering, black jacket and black trousers.

Staff at a Co-op store in Nayland Road, Colchester, were threatened with a knife when a robber made off with cash from the till at 2.22pm on Sunday

A man wearing a baseball cap walked into the store and threatened staff before running out and getting into a blue Ford Escort.

This is the second time the store has been targeted in recent weeks.

Anyone with any information should contact Colchester CID on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Tuesday, April 9, 2002