A KNIFE-WIELDING robber threatened staff before fleeing with £60 of tobacco.

The hooded suspect entered Martins Newsagents, in Ballards Walk, Laindon, just before 6pm on Friday, and brandished the knife before demanding staff open the till.

The suspect in the incident on Friday is described as a white male, aged about 27, 5ft 7ins tall and of a stocky build.

He had a hood up and a scarf across the lower part of his face.

He was also wearing black jogging bottoms, black trainers with white markings on them, a khaki green coat, which was zipped up, and a light grey hooded top underneath.

He wore black gloves and spoke with a local accent.

Anyone who saw the suspect either before or after the robbery, or who has any other information which could assist police, is asked to call Det Con Deborah Williams at Basildon CID on 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.