ARMED men have robbed a shop in Clacton.

The men put a knife to the throat of the female member of staff and demanded cash.

Detectives are appealing for information following the armed robbery at One Stop in St John's Road.

It took place at about 10.30pm last night.

Police were called and a search, including by police helicopter, was carried out to try and find the suspects but without success.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "One of the men threatened a female member of staff with a knife by holding it up against her throat and forcibly opened the counter to remove cash.

"She was uninjured but left very shaken up.

"They then left the store on bicycles with a quantity of money in the direction of the woods."

Both men were dressed in dark clothing with scarves obscuring their faces.

They had been drinking.

Det Sgt Rob Dines said: "This was a particularly nasty robbery and a shocking experience for the female member of staff who was confronted by these men.

"I urgently need to find these men and arrest them and would urge anyone who saw anything to get in touch.

"I’m keen to speak to two teenage girls were seen in the store shortly before the robbery as they may have information able to assist the investigation.”

Staff at the shop were unable to comment and the company was unavailable for comment.

Anyone with information can call Det Sgt Rob Dines at Clacton CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.