A terrified pub landlord woke to find two men in his bedroom demanding keys to a safe.

The 54-year-old man was forced to show the thieves the safe and open it up. The intruders snatched a large quantity of cash and made off from the Paul Pry pub in High Road, Rayleigh.

No weapon was used but the landlord suffered a cut to his head. Both he and his 17-year-old daughter, who was at the pub during the raid, were left shocked by the robbery.

Both intruders are described as white and stocky. One was aged 25 to 30, 6ft tall, with blond hair and a scarf tied in a knot at the back of his head.

The second man was in his 30s, 5ft 10in tall, and wore combat trousers and casual clothes.

A car was not heard leaving the scene and detectives are investigating how the thieves got away.

Anyone with information about the crime, which happened at around 2.15am on Monday, should contact Rayleigh CID on 01268 775533 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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