Two men, one armed with a hammer, have robbed a Co-op store in Bocking. 

They entered the Co-op in Church Street, Bocking at about 10pm last night. 

They demanded money from staff and left on foot with hundreds of pounds. 

One man is described as white, about 18, wearing a long-sleeved grey hooded top, a dark baseball cap with a white logo, dark shoes with white socks pulled up.

He was wearing a white glove on his left hand and a black glove on his right hand.

The second suspect, who was slightly shorter, was described as white, also around 18 years of age and was dressed in a long sleeved zip-up black hooded top over a white t-shirt, black trousers and black shoes. He was also holding a bright yellow carrier bag.

Staff were left shaken but unharmed.

The incident may be connected to a similar one in Flitch Green on July 6. 

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "As part of their investigations, officers will routinely examine similar incidents."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or had any information is asked to contact Braintree CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.