A masked man armed with a hammer threatened staff and stole cash from a village store.

The raider, who was wearing a balaclava to hide his face, targeted the Co-op Food Store, in High Street, Earls Colne.

He jumped on the shop counter and armed with a hammer, threatened staff and took cash from the till.

It is understood several customers were in the shop when the attack happened.

The robber left the scene in a car which police believe had been parked outside the store.

Ian Sparks, vice-chairman of Earls Colne Parish Council, said: “The incident is, of course, horrible for the people involved. This should not happen to staff.

“We all know the staff in the Co-op and speak to them all the time so it is shocking something like this has happened.

“The parish council is relieved none of the staff have been hurt during the incident.”

Earlier this year, masked raiders used a digger to rip the cash machine from the front of the High Street store.

The Co-op was severely damaged in the incident, which took place in the early hours of the morning on September 4.

On Tuesday last week, ram-raiders targeted the Co-op store in Weavers Court, Halstead.

Four men used a blue Transit van and a blue Nissan X-trail 4x4 to smash through the front doors of the shop before they took a free standing cash machine inside.

Mr Sparks said that the spate or raids at East of England Co-ops in the area has brought into question security measures at the stores and police numbers in the area.

He said: “It is not the first robbery at a Co-op in the area and it won’t be the last. The incident also brings into question policing in the area. Rural areas seem to be missed sometimes.

“Generally our High Street is secure. There are always people about. Obviously there are times when it is a bit quieter, but this happened on a Saturday evening, which is a strange time of day to do it.”

A spokesperson for the East of England Co-op, said: “I can confirm that an armed robbery took place on Saturday evening at our food store on the High Street, Earls Colne.

"We are supporting our colleagues involved in this distressing incident and would urge anyone with any information to contact Essex Police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Essex Police have appealed for help to trace the robber who struck at about 7.30pm on Saturday.

Any witnesses are asked to come forward with information to help them catch the man responsible.

Anyone witnessed the incident or who has information is asked to contact Colchester CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.