ROBBERS wielding handguns burst into an Essex village post office yesterday - the second time the premises had been targeted in five weeks.The two men struck at the Kirby Cross Post Office and Stores in Thorpe Road at about 10.

By Sharon Asplin

ROBBERS wielding handguns burst into an Essex village post office yesterday - the second time the premises had been targeted in five weeks.

The two men struck at the Kirby Cross Post Office and Stores in Thorpe Road at about 10.30am and threatened two female members of staff.

They demanded money and made off with a sum of cash. No shots were fired and no-one was injured.

One witness saw a man running from the shop with what appeared to be a scarf round his face. A dark red or dark brown Vauxhall Cavalier was then spotted leaving the scene at speed in the direction of nearby Walton-on-the-Naze.

Essex Police's air support unit along with armed response vehicles attended the incident and attempted to find the suspects. House to house inquiries are still continuing in the area.

Investigating officer, Det Sgt Richard Bowler, said: "This is an extremely distressing incident for the two members of staff. We desperately want help from members of the public to identify these two individuals."

The first man was white, aged between 17 and 18, of medium build and 5ft 8ins tall. He wore a dark woollen hat covering his ears and a waist-length zip-up bomber jacket and dark jeans.

His accomplice was also white, aged between 17 and 19, 5ft 6ins tall and of slight build. He appeared clean-cut and fresh-faced with short mousy hair and wore a light blue baseball cap, black padded jacket and jeans.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Post Office Ltd said: "Thankfully nobody was hurt but the safety and security of our staff and customers is paramount and we are working with the police in investigating this matter.

"The post office will remain closed until further notice and we apologise to customers for any inconvenience caused. In the meantime, pension books have been transferred to Frinton Post Office."

This is the second raid at the store in five weeks and last night a police spokesman said: "Inquiries are at an early stage and it is too soon to link the offences but detectives cannot rule out a link."

On December 16, Pauline Hellard was opening up when a gang of three men armed with baseball bats pounced. One jumped on the counter and tried to break through the anti-bandit screen and demanded cash, which she handed over.

They also left the scene in a dark coloured car in the direction of Walton-on-the-Naze. No-one has been charged with this crime.

Anyone with any information about either raid or who knows the culprits should contact Clacton CID on 01255 221312 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.