A Post Office and village store has been raided by armed robbers for the second time in five weeks.

Staff at the shop in Thorpe Road, Kirby Cross, were threatened by two men with handguns in yesterday's robbery.

The raiders escaped with a haul of cash, leaving the two women working in the store uninjured but very distressed.

An Essex Police spokesman said the robbers struck at about 10.30am and demanded the money.

He said: "They were armed with handguns and threatened the two female members of staff.

"No-one was physically injured and no shots were fired."

A witness saw one of the men run out with what appeared to be a scarf around his face.

He fled in a dark brown or dark red Vauxhall Cavalier car, which was seen being driven at speed towards Walton.

The Essex Police helicopter and armed response unit were sent to the area, but they were unsuccessful in the search for the robbers. House-to-house inquiries were also carried out.

The same post office and store was targeted by robbers wielding baseball bats in December.

Anyone who was in the area at time of the latest raid, or has any information, should contact Clacton police on 01255 221312

Published Wednesday, January 22, 2003