BURGLARS escaped with cash and cigarettes worth £6,500 from Threshers wine shop in Southend.

The crooks got in to the shop in Southchurch Road, overnight between Sunday and Monday.

They got into the office and found the keys to two safes, which they emptied of a four-figure sum of cash.

An unknown quantity of cigarettes, stamps and vouchers were stolen as the thieves forced open the doors of the cigarette cabinet, causing £200 damage.

Anyone with any information can call police on 0300 3334444.