This is the first picture of a man detectives want to quiz about an armed robbery in which a terrified postmaster was struck over the head with a gun.

A man, believed to be in his early thirties, kept the postmaster's wife talking as his accomplice assaulted the owner and stole a substantial amount of cash from the safe.

Both men then escaped on foot from KK News and Post Office in Prince Avenue, Westcliff. Police have issued a fresh appeal to nearby workers who may have spotted the pair running off after the incident at around 9am last Thursday.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "We have spoken to both of the aggrieved at the post office and they have been able to give us a fairly detailed description of one of the men which has enabled us to put the e-fit together.

"This is the man who distracted the postmaster's wife in the newsagents part of the shop.

"We are still looking for witnesses. We had a fairly good response from the appeal in the Evening Echo and are now following up a number of inquiries.

"However, we would like to still appeal to those workers in the area who may have been going to work at the time. We know there are a lot of offices in the area."

Detectives believe the men may have run down an alleyway next to the shop into Mayfield Avenue.

They were last seen in Parkstone Drive.

The armed raider was wearing dark glasses, a white baseball cap, dark padded jacket and white scarf.

He was white, of medium build and about 5ft 10ins tall.

The man in the e-fit is also white, tubby, with short, golden brown hair.

He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt.

Anyone who knows these men or who may have seen anything should call Det Sgt Brian Cook at Southend CID on 01702 431212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

E-fit - do you know him?

By Sarah Hutley

Reporter's e-mail: sarah.hutley@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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