Detectives were today hunting armed robbers who raided two Basildon newsagents within minutes of each other.

The pair, who carried large knives, held their weapons to the throat of one of the terrified shopowners.

They were first spotted walking into Newsbouys in Somercotes, Laindon, at around 6.55am today.

Although they menaced the staff with their knives, nothing was taken from the store and the robbers made off empty-handed towards the end of Somercotes.

At 7.12am two men, of a similar description, walked into Cherrydown News in Cherrydown, Basildon.

They held a knife to the boss's throat and forced him to open the till.

One of the men police are hunting is about 5ft 8in to 5ft 9in tall. His accomplice is 6ft tall and masked his face with a grey balaclava. He also wore a grey top.

Anyone with information is asked to call Basildon police urgently on 01268 532212.

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