Two masked men, one brandishing a sawn-off shotgun and the other a wrench, raided a village store.

Scene of crime - the Spar shop in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham (40369-3)

Police are appealing for witnesses to the raid which happened at the Spar shop in Swan Street, Sible Hedingham.

The two men, who were both wearing balaclavas, forced two customers - a woman and her 14-year-old daughter - into the shop before threatening two staff members, a woman in her 40s and a 17-year-old boy.

The staff members handed over cash from the till and the raiders also took a bottle of sherry.

They escaped in a white H-registration Vauxhall Astra which had been stolen from Second Avenue, Sudbury, at about 5.30pm the same day. It was abandoned by the robbers in Recreation Road, Sible Hedingham shortly after the robbery.

Police believe they may have switched vehicles there.

No-one was injured in the raid at about 6.10pm on Sunday but the 17-year-old staff member was receiving counselling.

"Anyone who can give information on the robbery, the theft of the car or the switching of vehicles should contact Braintree police on 01376 551312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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Published Tuesday, January 11, 2005

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