A robber held up a Colchester shop with a gun - and made off with just four cans of beer.

The man pointed a handgun at the 19-year-old assistant at Dillons in Bromley Road, on the edge of the Greenstead estate.

He walked in at around 9.50pm last night, when there were no other customers inside, took the beer from the shelf and went to the till.

There he threatened the shop assistant with the gun and demanded cash. She refused and he ran off carrying the cans in a plastic bag.

No shots were fired and no-one was hurt. It is believed a second worker was in the shop at the time.

Detectives were today (Thursday) due to speak to the assistant, who lives in Colchester. Scenes of crime experts have been at the shop.

Det Sgt Bob Kettle, of Colchester police, said: "We are treating this as a very serious crime.

"We know he had in his possession a handgun so he should not be approached by members of the public."

He said the shop assistant was very shaken by the ordeal. Detectives want to hear from any witnesses, particularly three customers who had just left the shop.

The suspect is white, aged 30-35, 5ft 10ins tall with short dark hair. He was unshaven with two to three days beard growth, and was wearing a green V-neck jumper and beige trousers.

The store was open as usual today but staff declined to comment.

Anyone with information should contact Colchester CID on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

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