TERRIFIED staff were held at knifepoint before a crook made off with hundreds of pounds in cash and cigarettes.

Staff at the Post Office inside the Martin's newsagents on the Felmores estate in Basildon, were left shaken but unhurt after the incident last night.

Essex Police has now launched an investigation into the robbery, which saw a three-figure sum of cash stolen and a "large quantity" of cigarettes.

The man, in his early 20s, who threatened staff with a knife just after 5pm yesterday, made off with the weapon in a brightly coloured bag.

He has been described as white, slim, blue eyes, and was wearing black clothes with a black hooded coat and a balaclava.

The force is now tracing customers who were in the shop at the time, and anyone who was in the Felmores End area.

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A spokesman from Essex Police, said: "Were you in the Felmores shops area in Basildon yesterday just after 5pm?

"We are continuing our enquiries and are looking to trace customers who were in the shop at the time, and anyone who was in the Felmores End area.

"You can submit a report online at https://www.essex.police.uk or use the 'Live Chat' button to speak to an online operator between 7am-11pm.

"Alternatively, you can call 101.

"Information can also be given to independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org

"Please use reference number 42/195972/20 when providing any information to ensure it gets to the investigating officer as quickly as possible."