ROBBERS told a Thurrock shopkeeper they would shoot him unless he handed over cash in a terrifying raid.

The manager of CSD Stores Ltd was at work at the off licence in St Chad's Road, Tilbury, when the two crooks burst in.

They told the man they had a gun and would use it unless he handed over the cash in the till.

The terrified victim gave the raiders £80 cash and they fled the store. No actual weapon was seen during the attack.

Acting insp Mark Rayner of Basildon Police said: "This incident was extremely frightening for the victim who believed the robbers were in posession of a gun.

"If there is anybody who recognises the men from the description or who knows anything about this robbery we would urge them to contact us without delay."

The two male robbers are both described as black with local accents. One was aged in his 20s, around 5ft 8ins tall and wore a dark coloured baseball cap, a dark tracksuit top and bottoms and a white t-shirt.

His accomplice was around 5ft 6ins and wore a grey puffa jacket and dark baggy tracksuit bottoms.

Witnesses to the robbery, which happened at 3.10pm on Tuesday, April 24, are asked to contact police at Grays on 01375 391212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.