Two raiders threatened a female cashier with a knife before making off with £300 in cash from a Pitsea convenience store.

The men, one of Asian appearance and the other black, went into Budgens Express in the High Road and demanded the woman hand over money from the till.

They then fled across the road towards a car park and in the direction of the McDonald's drive-thru restaurant and Pitsea railway station.

The cashier and another colleague who was also also behind the till were left shocked but unhurt.

Police have appealed for witnesses and have released descriptions of the two men.

The first was of Asian appearance and was carrying a 4in kitchen knife with a serrated edge.

He was in his late 20s, of medium build, 5ft 11ins tall and had a pock-marked face with stubble and short dark hair.

He was wearing a blue fleece jacket with a zip.

The second man was black, aged in his late 20s or early 30s, was of medium build, 5ft 10ins tall and had short dark hair and bad skin.

He was wearing a black leather jacket and black jeans.

Police said the raiders were spotted running off.

Witnesses and customers in the store at the time of the raid should call Pitsea police on 01268 532212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.