BAR workers were sprayed in the face with CS spray and robbed of nearly £10,000 in a terrifying raid.

The man and woman, who work at the Harvester in High Road, Laindon, were banking the day's takings when the attack happened.

The workers had gone to the sub post office in Martin's the Newsagents at the Triangle Centre, in High Road, Laindon, to deposit the cash when they were approached by the man.

He sprayed their faces with a CS gas cannister, which temporarily blinds people and causes the eyes to burn and stream, before grabbing the cash and running off.

Det Sgt Dixie Dean, of Basildon police, said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victims who were not only robbed but had a substance sprayed in their eyes during the process.

"They are extremely lucky not to have suffered any serious or permanent damage to their eyesight. At this stage we don't know which direction the man went in when he left the store.

"We have spoken to the victim and a couple of witnesses who heard a motorcycle being revved up, but we can't be sure this was the getaway vehicle."

Andrew Roache, spokesman for Mitchells and Butlers which runs the Harvester group, added: "This was a very serious incident and both of our team members were shaken, but thankfully they have not suffered any lasting physical harm."

It is understood the two victims, both in their 20s and from Basildon, were tended to by paramedics but did not need hospital treatment.

The robber was white, about 6ft 3ins tall, slim and wore a dark patterned hoodie.

Witnesses to the robbery, at 2pm on Monday, can contact Det Sgt Dean on 0300 333 4444.