DETECTIVES are appealing for information following an armed robbery in Corringham.

Two men, one armed with a handgun, struck at the Total service station in Church Road, at about 9.35pm on Thursday. A member of staff was threatened with the gun and ordered to open the till. The thieves fled with a three-figure sum of cash, a quantity of cigarettes and scratch cards.

They escaped in a white Ford Focus car which was said to be "shiny and new-looking".

The man armed with the gun was white, aged between 45-55, about 5ft 7in tall and of slim build. He was wearing a grey hoody with ‘Adidas’ on the front.

The second man was wearing a black balaclava or ski mask with eye and mouth holes. He was about 5ft 6in and slim and was wearing a black jacket and black trousers.

Anyone with information should contact DC Rob Brook at Grays Serious Crime Team on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.