A BANK has closed after a robbery - with a "wad of cash" stolen from the till. 

Police are currently at Lloyds bank, in Town Square, Basildon, after the incident, which happened at about 9.15am this morning. 

Residents in the area at the time have taken to social media, stating that a member of staff was also assaulted during the incident, but police have allayed those fears, stating no one was hurt in the incident but staff have been left shaken. 

It is understood the raider was wearing a mask. 

Echo:

Reward - the bank is offering a £25,000 reward for information on the incident 

A neighbouring shop keeper told an Echo reporter at the scene that a "wad of cash" had been stolen from the till in the shop. 

A sign on the branch door states that £25,000 is being offered as a reward for information. 

The sign reads: "Robbery at this branch. A reward of up to £25,000 may be paid to any member of the public who provides information in relation to a serious crime against Lloyds Banking Group."

READ MORE: Traders describe frightening moment masked robber raided bank

A Lloyds Bank spokesperson added: “We are aware of an incident at the Lloyds Bank Town Square branch, in Basildon. 

"We are supporting our colleagues and assisting police with their investigations."

An Essex Police spokesman said: "We are appealing for information following an armed robbery in Lloyds, in Town Square, Basildon, at around 9.15am today, Thursday, January 3.

"A man armed with a knife entered the bank and threatened a member of staff.

"He then ran from the scene in the direction of Basildon train station. No one was hurt but staff were left shaken by the incident."

The man is described as being white, between 5ft 9ins and 5ft 11ins tall, of a slim build and aged in his late 20s to early 30s. 

He wore grey hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms that were tucked into football socks and black trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Basildon CID on 101 quoting 200 of 03/01 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.