Two raiders brandishing large kitchen knives threatened staff at a Brentwood pub before escaping with more than £7,000 takings.

The two balaclava-clad robbers burst into the Golden Fleece pub at 10.15am on Monday, and forced the manager to open the safe at knifepoint, as stunned waiters and waitresses watched in horror.

After bundling the staff into a side room the vicious raiders fled on foot from the premises in London Road to the Marygreen Manor where they jumped into a 4x4 Vauxhall Frontera.

They drove off at high speed towards Brook Street roundabout where they had a minor collision with another motorist before speeding onto the M25 in the direction of the Dartford River Crossing.

DS Mervyn Pickard of Brentwood Police, said: "These men are dangerous, anyone that's prepared to pull a knife and threaten innocent people has got to be highly dangerous. The quicker they are taken off the streets the better.

"They made several threats of violence to the staff and said they would carry them out if they did not comply with their wishes. They were also anxious that staff should not look at them."

The Vauxhall Frontera was a silver gunmetal or gold colour with the false index number P495 SNK.

One suspect is described as 5ft 8in, of mixed race or Meditterannean appearance, between 30 and 32 years of age, of stocky build and with short cropped dark hair.

The other suspect is white, about 6ft, with short cropped black hair in a flat top or spiky style and aged between 28 and 30.

Anyone with any information should contact Brentwood CID on 01277 262212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Fleeced: Staff at the Golden Fleece were threatened by two masked knifemen during this week's raid.

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