HORRIFIED staff were shoved aside when a robber burst in to a village post office and snatched thousands of pounds in cash.

The thug, who wore a hood drawn tightly around his face, forced his way behind the counter at Honeycroft post office, in Waldegrave Way, Lawford.

Carlo Guglielmi, postmaster at the store for 35 years, praised his two members of staff for not trying to stop the thief.

He branded the culprit a “low-life” and urged any witnesses to contact Essex Police.

“If I had been there myself, I am not sure how I would have reacted,” he said.

“I don’t think the individual would ever be able to walk again.

“I am the first to put my hand in my pocket when it comes to charity – if this was the actions of someone who had to feed their children I would perhaps understand.

“However from the description it seems like the actions of someone fuelling a drug habit.

“If he buys drugs with the money I hope he gets a bad batch.

“We would like to praise our employees for not trying to tackle the individual or take unnecessary action which would have resulted in a danger to themselves.

“He was carrying a carrier bag and the staff weren’t sure what was in it – it is to their credit they didn’t try anything silly. He could have had a knife, a gun or any other weapon.”

The robber, who struck at around 12.30pm last Thursday, ran off in the direction of Long Road.

The post office remained closed throughout Friday for an audit to be carried out to establish the total amount of cash taken.

The suspect was described as white, aged in his mid-20s, about 5ft 5ins tall and of slim build. He was clean shaven and wore a light grey woollen hooded top, with the hood up and drawn tightly around his face.

Investigating officer PC Keith Hewitt said: “The victim was unhurt but left very shaken.”

“Someone will know who the suspect is and I am appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to get in touch.”