A robber smashed an axe against a post office counter screen, then demanded money from a terrified postmaster.

The robbery was at the Post Office General Stores, in Prince Avenue, Westcliff, opposite Tesco, about 2.50pm yesterday.

Two men, wearing surgical masks to disguise their faces, ran into the shop and demanded money from the postmaster, who was behind the counter.

A getaway driver waited outside in a dark-coloured car while the raiders snatched a three-figure sum, before running out of the shop.

They then jumped into the car and sped off.

Police were on the scene within minutes, because officers had been raiding a suspected brothel a few hundreds yards away at the time of the robbery.

Police community support officers sealed off the post office and stood guard while colleagues examined the crime scene and interviewed the shaken postmaster.

The Essex Police helicopter was scrambled and searched the area.

Its crew was unable to locate the robbers.

Police spokesman Julia Pack said: "One of the men was carrying an axe which was used to smash against the counter screen. They got away with a small amount of cash."

The two robbers who went into the store were white, aged 18 to 21, about 6 feet tall and wearing grey hoodies.

Anyone with information on the crime should contact Leigh CID on 01702 431212.