DETECTIVES are hunting armed robbers who tied up a store manager at gunpoint during a terrifying robbery.The 37-year-old manager of the Currys store in Stanway, near Colchester, was targeted at around 8pm on Friday.

DETECTIVES are hunting armed robbers who tied up a store manager at gunpoint during a terrifying robbery.

The 37-year-old manager of the Currys store in Stanway, near Colchester, was targeted at around 8pm on Friday.

He was getting into his green Renault Megane Scenic in the car park at the back of the store when he was approached by two men threatening him with a handgun.

He was forced to return to the store, let the robbers in and reveal the contents of the safe.

The raiders then tied the manager up and fled, first taking the 37-year-old's vehicle, but then dumping it after only 200 yards away near the Sainsbury's supermarket.

It is thought that they then completed their escape using another vehicle.

Meanwhile, the manager, who was not hurt, freed himself and set off the store's alarms to alert the police 20 minutes after the robbery.

A spokesman for Essex Police said the two robbers were described as white and aged in their late teens to early 20s.

One was around 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall and of skinny build. He was wearing a scarf around his face and a dark tracksuit and hooded top.

His accomplice was of similar height and build and was also wearing a dark-coloured hooded top.

The police spokesman said: "Detectives would like to hear from anyone who was in Sainsbury's around 8pm on Friday. It might be that they could have spotted these two men getting into another car."

A spokeswoman for Currys said: "We are working closely with the police to help them find who was responsible for the armed robbery."

Anyone with information is asked to call Colchester police on 01206 762212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.