A 51-year-old man from Maldon was arrested this morning in connection with an attempted armed robbery.

Police arrested him after a man armed with a small handgun attempted to rob the Costcutters store in Dryden close, Maldon, at around 9.45pm on Thursday.

He was wearing a mask and ran off empty handed towards the alleyway when a member of staff screamed and pressed the panic alarm. 

It is not known whether the handgun was real or a replica.

The man has been questioned and released on police bail until May 19 whilst further enquiries take place.